St Peregrines / Garda Westmanstown Gaels v St Anne’s Bohernabreena, Sunday, 27th October

Once the draw for the semi finals had been made it placed the only two teams that were unbeaten all season on a crash course to face each other. It meant something had to give. St Anne’s had won Division4 South and won all their championship matches to date and we had won Division5 North and were also unbeaten in the championship.

The game was played on Sunday morning in windy conditions. Our combined team started well against the breeze but found the wind tricky to score points and St Anne’s were that bit more accurate and opened a 3 point lead. However Senan Stynes got a goal and we then went on to play some good football but missed a few good goal chances in this period. St Anne’s came back strong again and at halftime the score was 0-8 to 1-3. Our lads started brilliantly in the second half with 1-3 and lead by three . After this, scores were the hard to come by as both defences tightened up and fought for every ball. Still with only 3 minutes to go we were 2 points up. Unfortunately a loose handpass somehow made it to a St. Anne’s forward who took his chance brilliantly and suddenly we were a point down. As ever, this team kept fighting and Sam Enright scored a wonderful point to draw the game in the last piece of action.

Full time score:  2-9 WMT / 1-12 St Anne’s

So it went to extra time and there was a lot of tired bodies on both sides and the wind had picked up even more. We were against the wind in the first half of extra time and we had a lot of possession in this half but failed to score but coaches were happy enough as St. Anne’s only scored 1 point in that first half of extra time. St Anne’s got another point for a two point lead then Isaac Quinlan went on an amazing run and beat 4 players unfortunately his pass to Conor Dillon went over the end line and the goal chance was gone. Our lads kept battling and got their lead down to a point and were pushing hard for an equaliser when the ref blew the full time whistle. There was some stellar performances in defence; Darragh O Connor, Brendan Naughton, Cian Daly and Conor McNicholl didn’t give an inch. In midfield Thomas Quigley was dominating and ably assisted by Shane Wallace and in tough weather conditions forwards Senan  Stynes, Isaac Quinlan and Reece Molloy shone. Absent on the day were Marc Curran and Luke Fagan.

Final score after Extra Time: 2-10 WMT / 1-14 St Anne’s

In such games it is the smallest margins that decide the winners and personally I think it was home advantage swung it for St Anne’s as they were more familiar of the pitch and the cross-field wind and were slightly more efficient at taking their scores. Thanks to all the parents and Westmanstown club members that travelled to support this team. It’s great to see such numbers. The management and players really appreciated it.

The management also wish to thank the players for their commitment to this team in what has been a long season which started back in early February. It has been great watching the players and management bond and it was evident from their fighting spirit yesterday how much of a team they have become in one season. I really want to wish the second year minors all the best as they begin their adult football careers and I look forward to watching them in action over the coming years.

These lads have to dust themselves down as they have a hurling semi final next Sunday away to Fingallians in B championship. This will be a tough one as Fingallians have won Division 3 and we have won Division 4 . All support welcomed and appreciated and in games as tight as these it could make all the difference.

NP / GWGaels Abú

Seamus Wallace