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7.12.14
Portmarnock AFC
1. Jack Quinn
2. Matthew Campbell
3. Josh Philips
4. Tom O Sullivan
5. Jack Irwin
6. Joey Molloy
7. Alex McWilliams
8. Ryan Fowley
9. Ethan Maiti
10. Billy Irwin
11. Ryan Gibson
12. Andrew Graham
The game kicked off on time at 10am in breezy, very cold conditions, the pitch was in good shape except the grass was a few inches higher than it should be for football.
Balbriggan started brightly and were in and around the Portmarnock box a few times in the first 10 minutes. They never really looked like making the break through and anything Jack Quinn the Portmarnock keeper had to do he did well and the score remained 0-0. Portmarnock started to get in to the game at this stage and Alex McWilliams & Ethan were always a threat and nearly got past the Balbriggan defence a few times. Joseph Molloy in midfield started to dominate midfield and the coaching he is receiving from Club Coach Darren Costello is really starting to pay off as he always seems to have time and space on the ball when he receives it. He also enjoys the physical nature of midfield and i don’t think he has lost a challenge in three weeks!
The running off the ball that Alex Mc was doing had the Balbriggan defence at sixes and sevens and it appeared to be only a matter of time before Portmarnock went ahead. Billy Irwin and Ryan (Gibbo) Gibson were really coming strong as the half neared the end and except for an offside that no one apart from the ref saw they would have been 1-0 at half time.
They hit the post once and the keeper made three or four saves and he was their best player in the first half.
There were very solid performances at the back from Matthew , Jack , Tom and Josh Philips. Ryan Fowley had a very strong game in the middle of the park and his distribution and tackling was top class.
The second half started and almost immediately Billy Irwin popped up with a mazy dribble and a firm toe poked finish in the far corner which the keeper and the defence could only stare at and do nothing about. Portmarnock upped the ante and they went looking for another and it duly came 10 minutes later from a corner after good work down the wing from Alex and Ethan. Gibbo hit a fine inswinger and Alex Mc rose highest to get his head on it just before the keeper looked like he might collect the ball.
Portmarnock made a couple of switches and Andrew Graham came on and added another string to the Portmarnock midfield bow. He never lost possession keeping the ball moving and with the sustained pressure a third goal looked inevitable. It came with 5 minutes to go after Gibbo had another strike at goal the ball was deflected past the Balbriggan keeper and Darren Costello remarked “the lads deserved that third goal it gave a better reflection of the game on the scoreboard”.
The team are idle this week which is a pity but they are top of the table going in to the Christmas break.
