Our senior boys took to the field in Skreen to face Kilglass NS, Rathlee NS and local rivals Cliffoney NS in the three teacher section of this competition. After our close call last year we were determined to leave nothing on the field of play this time out and only a very talented side would deny us a trip to the final. All scores in this competition are counted as points. A point is as normal and a goal is counted as one point.
Maugherow 0-8 v Rathlee 0-5
It has been a few years since we faced Rathlee but we knew that they and Kilglass had to be beaten if we were to stand any chance of reaching the finals. With that purpose in mind we set about what became a text book display of football. A very sporting encounter saw the boys cruise past a determined Rathlee side. Win one to Maugherow.
Maugherow 0-11 v Kilglass 0-3
Kilglass are well organised and talented. They have pedigree in this competition and early on they put up a good fight. Mid way through the first half Maugherow began to take control and in the second half we stepped up a gear and there was no way back for the Kilglass men. Win two to Maugherow.
Maugherow 0-9 v Cliffoney 0-4
We were guilty of underestimating our opponents here. We had to win to ensure a trip to the finals. The rules of this competition are strange and open to interpretation by all. We had beaten everyone but a loss here would mean a playoff against a team already put to the sword by Maugherow! Even though we recalled a similar outcome where we were not granted a playoff in 2010 we decided that a win would settle things and there would be no recourse to the rulebook!
Cliffoney fought like dragons and against all the odds went into half time ahead. A chink of light had opened for Rathlee. Maugherow steeled themselves for a tense second half and with us finally playing like we had earlier in the day we ran out comfortable winners. Win three to Maugherow and a place in the finals at last!
St. Patrick’s Maugherow: Anthony M., Caoileann C., Matthew W., Denis B., Evan C., Jack H., Oliver W. (C), Liam L., Finn C. Subs: Callum M., Tola C., Declan R., Rian L. Paul C.
I am so proud of these boys for the way they played today and also for their attitude to these competitions. We have players in our side who only play football for the school. We have players who only started to play two years ago. We also have players who have the potential to grace county sides in the future. They have achieved this honour themselves. We have no secrets in the backroom because there is no backroom.
I have to remember the boys and girls who have fought and battled to get us to this position. Remember 2007 when we first burst onto the scene in borrowed jerseys? We have always had spirit and I am proud to live in Maugherow and be associated with these players. This means more to me than anything I have won before because it is my parish, my home and my team. Win or lose on June 16th we have done what we set out to do and you should be proud of these children as they embody everything that is good in the GAA. COME ON MAUGHEROW!
