St. Anthony’s men’s team fell at the final hurdle in their quest for silverware in the Mullarkey Cup Final
St. Anthony’s took on Neasden Gaels at the home of London Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), McGovern park Ruislip.
The Berkshire men got off to a perfect start with a somewhat fortuitous goal. St. Anthony’s centre half-forward Cian Dunne gathered the ball around the 45 metre line, he shot towards the posts in the hope for a point but the ball dropped under the crossbar into the net to raise a green flag.
Neasden didn’t panic and opened up their own account for the day by splitting the uprights for a point from a forward mark. #
hey quickly followed this by a point (free) and then a goal from open play to swing the momentum firmly in their favour. The Neasden goal was a fine team move despite the best effort of Anthony’s goalkeeper Ryan Doonan to keep out the initial shot.
The Reading boys didn’t let this phase them and they began to express themselves by playing flowing football. More importantly they began to get the scoreboard moving by tagging on points of their own through Conor Hughes and Liam McGovern (three, two frees).
Neasden were able to raise two white flags in response but it was the Biscuitmen who added on the final scores of the half through Shane Dowling and McGovern (two frees).
Half-time score
St Anthony’s 1-07 vs Neasden Gaels 1-4
Unfortunately, the second half didn’t live up to the promise of the first half for Anthony’s as the toll of injuries in the first-half mounted and they couldn’t match the energy which Neasden brought off their bench.
There were a few bright sparks in the second half with Doonan again producing an excellent save this time from the penalty spot and debutant Alex Hoque kicking his first point for the club.
Final Score
St Anthony’s 1-08 vs Neasden Gaels 2-17
Scorers
Liam McGovern 0-05 (4 frees)
Cian Dunne 1-00
Conor Hughes 0-01
Shane Dowling 0-01
Alex Hoque 0-01
