St. Michael’s ‘teamwork’ paves the way

Date Published: {J}

St. Michael’s 5-7

An Spideal 1-8

GAELIC football was the true winner last Friday evening in Pearse Stadium when a gallant and lively St Michael’s U12 outfit overcame a brave and spirited An Spideal team in a thrilling City League B Final.

The hot and humid conditions did not slow down the young football talent on display as a fast, open and sporting game of football thrilled the crowd. The quality of play from both sides regularly brought them to their feet in spontaneous outbursts of applause that vindicated John Connolly’s foresight to hold these City League finals at Galway GAA headquarters.

"Teamwork" was the word which echoed most often around the ground as the St. Michael’s supporters enthused at the ability of their young players to move the ball so swiftly and accurately to each other.

From the safe hands and sure clearances of Mark Walsh in goals all the way to the incisive, deadly inside attack of Jason McPhilbin and Daniel Nolan, the ball seemed at times to move to the will of the team in blue and white. Only ten minutes after the throw-in an explosive passage of play had yielded 3-1 for the boys from Westside, with all scores coming after cool, swift passing movements. This flow was a feature leading to the opening goal and point scored by Daniel Nolan, and it continued unabated leading to a second fine goal, scored by Alex Murphy.

The third goal was as much a thing of beauty as any goal that will be scored in Pearse Stadium this summer. Another move that built from the back found its way again to Ryan Sheerin at the centre of the attack. His diagonal ball picked out the effervescent Nolan and his arching, unstoppable shot from the right rattled into the top left corner of the net.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.