The Oscar Traynor Centre was the venue for this years Belvedere Managers' and Friends' match which was played on Saint Stephens Day. There was a great turnout of more than 30 players this year, mainly thanks to the efforts of Fran Pierce and Thomas McGilvery, the two player / managers on the day.

This eagerly awaited contest pitted some old Belvo legends of the game against each other in this festive feast of football. It promised to be a cracker...and it didn't disappoint.

While such Belvo greats as Peadar Behan ('keeper), Damien Byrne, Fergus McCabe, Ray McCann, Gerard Mooney and Paul "Spoon" Flynn lined out for the blues, the coloured bibs team included Philip White ('keeper), Paul Usher, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Kenny and Eddie Mooney. 

There were also good displays from Tony Burke, Neil Beasley, Mick Byrne and Philip Byrne for the blues, while Gerard Cashin, Paddy Gibney, Wayne Uzzell and Gareth Malone impressed for the bibs. 

Also impressive for the bibs team were Peter Halpin, Anthony Mitchell and Derek McDonald, as were Adrian Glass, Conor McNeill, Thomas Meehan and Derek Mooney for the blues.

Spectators braving the elements on the day included, Eddie Foy, Martin Cooke, Matt Halpin, Vincent Butler and Kieran O'Reilly.

Thomas McGilvery's team wearing the coloured training bibs led 2 - 0 at half time thanks to well taken goals from Sean Walsh. However in the second half, Fran Pierce's blues team bounced back with goals from Thomas Kenny (junior) and Fran himself, as he maintained his record of scoring in every Managers match he played in. 

At the final whistle the score remained even at 2 - 2 and the result was decided by a penalty shoot-out , with the blues coming out on top. 

All in all another very enjoyable Managers Match, and it was great to see so many former Belvo managers, players and friends turn out on the day. 

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