Slaintes' Soggy Showdown with Knights
by Ivan Baker
The opening adult game was as rough and tumble as they come, both Burke’s and Slim McGinn’s embattled for a nasty skirmish in a sodden wasteland of a pitch. Great aspirations for fine play literally and figuratively fell short as the sliotar plodded on the marshy soil. There was spectacular defensive action, and neither side could manage much of a score in the first half. Danny Mac McAuliffe managed two of the three Slainte points despite the water-laden ball. By the end of the second quarter, the score was scarce, Slim’s had a point edge of the Knights, 0-3 (3) over 0-2 (2).
The swamp started to dissipate under a rising midday sun, and by the beginning of the second half, the field conditions improved. Both teams were managing deeper drives into each other’s backfields. Slim’s forward, Ian Doherty, found his mark three times over the bar, and the Slainte offense repeatedly charged the box but only found a steadfast Matt Larsen in goal who caught and cleared every strike. Burke’s had the same idea and issued a few frenzied charges in the hopes create a buffer from the ongoing nip-and-tuck score. Despite the tremendous efforts by Slainte goalkeeper Andy McKee, Burke’s Brian Murphy managed to find the back of the net on a crossfired shot to the bottom right of the goal.
The fourth quarter was the highlight of the day, such high spirit, such good hurling. Slim McGinn’s were relentless with their attacks driving deep into the Knight backfield. Regardless of the Slainte's incessant pushing to find the web, the Knight defense remained an impenetrable palisade of stalwart defenders with fullback Patrick McGowan holding the line. In a desperate gambit, Slainte defense pushed to the offense, and Slim’s halfback Tom Hereley hurled for a long point which narrowed the deficit down to a goal. Play after play, the Slaintes gave their all to tie that game and did not cease until the final whistle. But alas, the Knights held fast. Burke’s 1-7 (10) to Slainte 0-7 (7).