It was a wintery mid-November and huge crowds descended upon Dublin for one of the biggest games in Irish soccer history. The game in question featured some of the finest footballers in the country at present. This match was of course the Holy Trinity SNS students vs. teachers game. Anticipation was building high all week for this game as both sets of players readied themselves for the big clash, bragging rights were at stake and neither team were willing to go down easily. When game day arrived it was easy to see who the crowd favourites were. The pupils arrived on the pitch to a huge ovation from an outstanding crowd.
The game began and it was clear to see both teams meant business as the ball raced from one end to the other. The pupils started strong with Chloe McDonnell, Jason Gallagher and Ally Anne Traynor all performing well. A stroke of fortune saw the teacher’s score first as a whizzing shot by Mr. Kevin Doyle struck the post and somehow spun back into the net. The pupils didn’t take long to level the game however and struck back almost immediately when Scott Ramsey poked home after a great delivery from Tom McCann to make the game 1-1. The pupils were most definitely on top of the game now with Callum Byrne, Abbie Brennan and Siobhan Cassidy Fagan all on top of their game. However, disaster struck for the pupils just before the half-time interval as the teachers caught them on the break and notched another goal through the in-form Mr. Kevin Doyle.
The teachers came back out after the interval encouraged by that goal and started strong. They extended their lead through Ms. Free who rattled the top corner of the net and proved that a career in soccer awaits her should she ever give up playing camogie. The teachers then looked to have put the game beyond all doubt when Mr. C Henry and Mr. O’Neill combined to put Mr. Donal Ryan in on goal who coolly slotted it home to make it 4-1. The pupils would not be outdone however and immediately began to mount a comeback. Tom McCann led the charge and netted to put the pupils back in the game despite the able defending of Mr. Fitzgibbon and Ms. Keating. The teacher’s misery was further compounded when Ms. Woods hacked down Aaron Dalton and was ruthlessly shown a red card by the no-nonsense referee Mr. D. Henry. Dalton then had a great chance to add to the pupils score line however he was stopped in his tracks by a last ditch tackle by Mr. Kevin Doyle. Dalton was presented with a second opportunity moments later and made no mistake this time as he dodged around Mr. Keely in the box and stuck it into the goal.
The teachers searched for another goal but found their way blocked by some excellent defending by Adam O’ Brien, Ryan Roche and Shaniece Cunningham. Goalkeeper Eoin Abernethy also kept the teachers out with some fantastic saves. The teachers were then fortunate not see themselves reduced to nine players after a shocking tackle by Ms. O’Neill on Scott Ramsey was overlooked by Mr. D. Henry. The teachers luck would soon run out however, as the pupils lay siege on their goal looking for the elusive equaliser. Aoife Penrose led the charge and came close on a number of occasions but Ms. Free held strong in the goal. Amy Tighe and Shauna Lyons allowed the pupils to push even further forward as they put on a stellar performance at the back making sure the pupils weren’t caught out on the counter attack.
With both teams now looking tired Ms. Monaghan pulled the strings on the sideline and made some great changes which freshened up the pupils play and gave them a new impetus in attack. The equaliser finally came in the dying moments after a shocking mistake by Mr. Diarmaid Ryan left Tom McCann in on goal to level the game and complete an amazing comeback, sending the crowd wild in the process. Mr. Henry then blew the final whistle much to the teacher’s relief. Truth be told the teachers found themselves lucky to come away with a draw and should a rematch occur the pupils should definitely fancy themselves to take the win.
– Match analysis by Mr O’Neill
