Burke’s Knights Whip Gael Winds
by Ivan Baker
When teams are down key players, it is hard to fill the void, especially when playing teams high in the rankings, such as Burke’s Irish Castle. McBob’s was missing two key defensive players, Pat Foley and Eric Lemmer, but you wouldn’t know they were at a disadvantage when the game began.
McBob’s Gael Winds started swiftly out the gate with good ball movement and the quick legs which Burke’s matched play for play. Gael Wind captains, Jesse Rapkin and Kyle Christianson, had their team working well against the menacing Burke’s Knights. McBob’s Will Gebauer was able to hold off Burke’s captain Connor Kilp throughout most of the first quarter and by the end, McBob’s looked as though they would manage without their key defensive players, having only a two point deficit at the first quarter whistle, 0-5(5) to 0-3(3).
The chink in the armor was exposed in the second as the Knights were able to drive deep into the Gael Wind backfield. Despite the outstanding efforts of Gael Wind goalkeeper, Dave “Chico” Monfre, and Gael Wind fullback, John McCarville, Burke’s Irish Castle sought and fought their way to the back of the net. If you found yourself wondering who the Knights’ number 9 was, that’s Brian Murphy. And the Gael Winds had no answer for him. His hurling display was exemplary, from cross-field passing at forty meters a crack, to textbook points and wicked shots on goal. Between spectacular level of play from Mr. Murphy and the ubiquitous Knight captain Connor Kilp, the future looked bleak for the Gael Winds at the half. 0-6 Mcbob’s to Burke’s 2-8.