23 June 2013
Raffo Cup back in St. Bride’s!
Earlier this month on an overcast afternoon in Casement Park, St Bride’s Primary School ended the 2012-13 year on a high, adding the Allianz/Cumann na mBunscoil Raffo Cup to the Cathedral Cup (‘A’ league), All-county indoor 5 a side and Bredagh blitz titles already won this year.
St Bride’s started the final nervously but composed themselves quickly for Paul Bradley to slot over the first score. The Bunscoil, having already won the Callan Cup in the hurling, did not come to be beaten easily and immediately won a penalty after putting considerable pressure on St Bride’s backline. Donal in goals was up to the task and made a brilliant diving save. What followed was more or less score for score, Paul scoring from a sideline and Cian turning his man to score from play, the Bunscoil scoring after each of St Bride’s tallies.
At the half time whistle the match was evenly balanced; St Bride’s 0.3; Bunscoil Phobail Feirste 0.2
The Bunscoil started the second half strongly with a point before Eoin composed himself to win the ball and slot over his first point of the match. A surging opportunistic run from half back by Patrick resulted in a sweet point, followed by another neat turn and score from Cian. The South Belfast lads were finding their confidence with stout defending from Ronan B, Harry, Patrick and Ronan A, supported by Ben in midfield giving the forwards plenty of ammunition.
Unanswered points from the Bunscoil had the sides level before good passing support play from James and Shay allowed Paul to push forward from midfield to tag on another point, putting St Bride’s one up. He then kept his cool to slot over a free to make the difference two with a minute left on the clock.
All credit to the Bunscoil as they kept fighting to the end, winning a 45 after dogged defending by the Malone lads. Everyone was on edge of their seat as the ball was dropped into St Bride’s square in hope; those hopes dashed however when that ball was bravely won by a blue and yellow jersey and carried out the field to the sound of the long whistle. Final score: St Brides 0.8; Bunscoil Phobail Feirste 0.6.
St Bride’s panel: Marcus L, Thomas McD, Joseph McC, Conan McN, Reuben C, Donal B, Ronan B, Harry O’C, Ronan A, Patrick McK (0.1), Ben D, Paul B (0.4; 0.2f, 0.1s), Cian McD (0.2), Eoin B (0.1), Shay C, James McK.
