The weather was cold and crisp, with ice on parts of the all weather playing surface, as the Oscar Traynor Centre hosted the "football event of the year". Not since Real Madrid's galacticos, has such an array of talent assembled on one pitch ????

Old friends and legends ( possibly some in their own lunch time ) of the game lined up against each other with only one thing on their mind.....( the final whistle? ). All the talking had finished, this was it, this is what they been preparing for ....possibly the biggest game of their lives...........!!!!

It had promised to be an exhibition of talent,......... a real festive feast of football,............... and it didn't disappoint.

The game exploded into life with both sides looking fresh, sharp ( ok maybe a slight exaggeration ) and with a hunger, both to succeed......... and for lunch!!! The early pace of the game, in fact was so quick, it couldn't last, and, lo and behold, after one minute and 37 seconds it settled down......to a crawl !!!!

The opening goal was scored by Fran Pierce, captain of the black team, as they pressed home their early supremacy. With Fergus McCabe ( playing in his 24th Saint Stephen's Day match ) putting in a dazzling display on the right and live-wire front-man Pierce causing havoc in the opposition defence, it looked like it was only a matter of time before Fran's team increased their lead. In defence for the blacks were stalwarts Kieran O'Reilly, Damien Byrne , Gerard Mooney and Mick Byrne......while Belvo Milk Cup supporters Kevin Walsh and Darragh O'Reilly ran the midfield along with Philip Byrne.

However, Paul "Spoon" Flynn's red and white team had a potent attacking weapon themselves in Tony Lynch, who used his pace and trickery to put the blacks' defence on the back foot. Added to the likes of Sean Deegan, Brian Flood, Gerry Brown, Graham Kearns and Wesley Robb, the quality on show was there for all to see.....!!!!! Both side's attacking prowess paid dividends and at the break the reds led 4-3.

"Interested" spectators on the day included Martin Cooke, Eddie Foy and Republic of Ireland underage manager, Vincent Butler, an ever present at this annual Saint Stephen's Day match.

After the break, the reds brought on "secret weapon" Larry Hayden, as the goals continued to flow, while the defenders became more and more weary. It was nip and tuck until a "Pires" - style dive in the box by reds captain Flynn was rewarded with a penalty kick by referee Philip Manly ( there must have been a bribe ? )...... !!!!. When all the protests had simmered down, and despite a gentle trip from full back O'Reilly on "Spoon" ( someone said it was the only tackle he made in the match !!! ) just as he was about to shoot, but he dispatched the spot kick to the back of the net, while Manly cautioned the defender with a yellow card.

By this stage of the match, too many of the players were relying on the old " first few yards in your head" a little too much............. and after a tense finish the match ended in a seven all draw..... yes, a seven all draw..... wow !!!!

And so to the compulsory penalty shootout,........even this failed to divide the teams,....... and after six "expertly taken" spot kicks each, it fell to the two 'keepers to take sudden death penalty kicks. Up stepped Paddy Croft for the blacks to slot home neatly, followed by Stephen Mooney who did likewise for the reds to make it 7- 7 on penalties, as referee Manly finally declared the match a draw.

At the after-match refreshments in Smyth of Fairview, the match was relived in graphic detail and with no little exaggeration, particularly captain of the blacks, Fran Pierce describing his "brilliant" goal !!!! There was also much debate about "Spoon's" dive for the penalty, with someone suggesting he should apply for an acting part in the Abbey Theatre.

All in all, another enjoyable match, played in the right spirit, with plenty of laughs. On behalf of Belvedere F.C., Philip Manly thanked all those involved, saying it was particularly good to see so many former Belvedere managers / players and friends turning out again, keeping this annual fixture going, year after year.

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