2006 Belvedere Managers Match

With so many crying off for this annual event of annual event's, it seemed likely, for a while that the game would start up as a five - a - side, until the late arrival of players who were audacious in their excuses for being late! "Worse than the kids", someone said. 

It turned out that we had enough (so called) players to make up two teams of 10 - a - side. Some of the "stars" of previous years were enticed off to foreign parts to spend the holiday period on the beaches.

" Never mind" said the Guru, "let's play ball!  "So, without further ado, referee for the game, the charismatic Kieran O' Reilly got proceedings underway.

With only five minutes into the game, the reds found themselves 0-2 down to the stronger, and more talented (yeah!) yellow team. 

But god loves a trier, and five minutes later the reds got a goal back, much to the delight of the many spectators who turned up on this cold morning to hopefully witness a spectacle. 

For the reds, "youngsters" Paul Flynn and Ray McCann were working overtime in midfield trying to break down a solid defence which was well marshaled by former League of Ireland great, Damien Byrne. Alongside him was his son Philip, who is making his way in the Eircom league now. 

Second half saw a tactical change with reds putting Fran Pierce in goal and pushing Tony Burke into defence and Sean Deegan up front. But the yellows came at them and Stephen Mooney slotted home from an acute angle to put his team 3-1 up.  

It was at this stage that Burke rallied his troops and got an immediate reaction when Flynn notched two goals to bring the sides level. Sleeves were rolled up by the reds as they saw the mighty yellows heads drop. Wave after wave of intense pressure from the reds shook the yellows to the core. 

With the huge roar of encouragement from the spectators, the reds went in front for the first time in this pulsating game. No one knows who scored the goal. No one cared! 

The cocky yellows were pegged back by this tremendous team in red who, having been jeered at during the first few minutes of the game, were being applauded with every touch and pass of the ball. 

With 5 minutes left on the clock, the yellows were given a free kick inside the box for the reds keeper holding onto the ball for more than six seconds! The yellows, for the first time, in a long time, had the chance to get back in the game. But the chance was squandered. 

Deep into injury time the yellows were awarded a penalty!  The evergreen, youthful Fergus McCabe was given the ball. His effort was heading into the top left hand corner of the net, and he was beginning to turn and celebrate, when the reds 'keeper somehow leapt the extra inches and touched the ball around the post.

McCabe was left holding his head in his hands as the reds cheered and acknowledged what was probably the best penalty save ever seen at this event in all it's years! But above all the frenzy, a referee's whistle could be heard. 

He demanded the penalty be taken again as he deemed the 'keeper to have moved off his line before the kick was taken. The referee stood firm in his decision despite the many protestations from the players and spectators. 

With McCabe's legs noticeably shaking, he nonchantly stroked the ball home, while sending the 'keeper the wrong way.  Four All. That was the last action of a truly memorable game with both sides exhausted. The penalty shoot-out failed to separate the teams, and so it was decided to call it quits. 

Roll on St. Stephens day 2007.