A slightly weary Éire Óg team travelled to Radleet Road in Watford, tired after the excursions of Dancing with the Éire Óg Stars!
In this opening blitz of 2018 in Hertfordshire Éire Óg opened proceedings against St Dympnas of Luton. A good start saw Oxford born Tomas McDonagh bag a nice goal. A rally of points followed in the first half. In the second half McDonagh found the net again to put the game beyond doubt. This score would put the result beyond question and put the Oxford side into the semi final of the competition.
Éire Óg Oxford 2-05 St Dympnas Luton 0-01
Next up Éire Óg faced the home side Glen Rovers Watford. The game started at a ferocious pace. Éire Óg came out on top in the middle of the field. Debutants Adam Ferry and Sean Quinn linked well to get some nice scores. In the second half Thomas Gaughan and Odran McShane were both introduced, with Gaughan scoring a lovely point from over near the sideline. This result put Éire Óg into the final of the competition.
Éire Óg Oxford 1-07 Glen Rovers Watford 0-02
The other semi final saw St Dympnas play St Comcilles of St Albans. In a riproaring game the Luton team came out on top to put themselves into the final against Éire Óg .
In the final St Dympnas got a great start, a long ball over the top caused panic and their speedy corner forward took his chance well and scored a nice goal. The rest of the first half was a cagey affair, with both teams missing chances. At half time the game stood at a goal to no score.
Éire Óg battled back into the game in the second half. Liam Reale and Piers McGlynn combined well for two points. Sean Quinn then popped up for a third and a fourth point to put the men from Oxford a solitary point ahead. Deep into injury time a ball was turned over at midfield by St Dympnas , they worked this into a scoring position and the referee awarded a penalty to the team from Luton. The penalty taker roofed the ball into the top corner of the net. This was the final act in a competitive tournament.
Final score Éire Óg Oxford 0-04 St Dympnas Luton 2-00
Congratulations to St Dympnas , and thanks to all at Glen Rovers Watford and Hertfordshire County board for running a great opening day to 2018.
Our next fixture is at home on Saturday 7th April at 4p.m. against St Dympnas. All support appreciated.
Panel: G Lucey, E Devlin, D Fahy, C Weir, C O Leary, R Boyle, M De Cogan, C Forde, S Mellon, P McGlynn, L Reale, T Griffin, S Quinn, A Ferry, T McDonagh, O McShane, T Gaughan. Management J Gaughan, E Connaughton, E Devlin & F Dillon.
