Brideview United

Brideview Utd 5 Railway Athletic 3

Brideview secured the Tony Bolger Cup for a third successive season in a wind swept Brideview Park last Sunday. Brideview began the game attacking the Woodview Park End and the starting eleven was as follows Brian Henley, Kieran Casey, JP Grey,Jamie Murphy,Kieran Fraser, William Curley,Michael Curley,Paul Kearney,Chris Murphy, Paul O Brien and David McInerney. After a defensive blunder with only 2mins on the clock Railway were in on goal but Brian Henley made a point blank save to keep the game scoreless. On 6mins good link up play between Casey and Chris Murphy earned a corner and from the resulting place kick Paul O Brien pounced to rattle the roof of the net. Railway were now on the back foot and the experience of the United side shone through and they had plenty of chances even having the ball in the net only for the referee to rule it out. But playing with the wind the Cappoquin side were back on level terms on the half hour mark with a spectacular free kick. Shortly before the break David McInerney was taken down in the box and Michael Curley made no mistake from 12 yards to give United the ascendancy at half time. The break seemed to settle the Railway side and they came out fighting in the second half with a display that showed how they had come through a tough group and make it all the way to the final. On 52mins it was level 2-2 and they took the lead on 70min to leave the United team stunned. Not alone had they taken the lead they also had chances to stretch their lead but a deft header over the bar from Kieran Fraser kept the defecit to the minimum. Eric Hickey who had made a dash back from the airport replaced Casey with 20mins left and Chris Murphy rattled the crossbar and this was the catalyst for the United comeback. Paul O Brien set up David McInerney and he booted the ball home to make it 3-3. This was McInerney's eight goal of the Bolger Cup and if there was a man of the tournament award he certainly would be first inline to get it. Not alone for his goals but for the tireless work throughout all the starting back when we beat Caherdrinna in August. United broke Railways hearts when they regained the lead when Chris Murphy set up Paul O Brien to score his second. Kearney and David Mc made way for Stephen Pratt and Ritchie Murphy late on and there was still time for Brideview to put further gloss on the game. A goal bound effort was handled on the line and Michael Curley once again made no mistake from the penalty spot. Final score 5-3. With the cup won some players who didnt get a run out on the day can't be forgotten - Peter Smith who was an ever present throughout the run, Stefan Tobin,James Walsh,Shane Guildea,Dean Hennessey,Damien Pescod,David Tobin,Andy O Riordan, Martin Murphy. Well done to also to Michael Delaney and Karen McCarthy who kept the squad watered and injury free. On the first campaign with their squad Brian Donnelly and Denis Martin ably abetted by Clive Good secured their first silverware. The large crowd went home happy but before they left they awaited the presentation of the trophies. Paddy Pollard standing in for Chairman Alan McNamee spoke about how he had started the WWEC the then Red House League with his friend Tony Bolger. Prior to the presentation Patricia McCarthy made a poignant speech about her father Tony Bolger who passed away 29 years ago while refereeing a match in Salterbridge Cappoquin in a match that Brideview were playing in. JP Grey mentioned in his wining speech that it had been a turbulent few months as the management team tried to find their best team and get used to the squad but it all came right in the end. Grey also complimented the gallant Railway side who just came up short on the day and the experience will do them good.