14 June, 2008
Having done so well in the Dublin Cup, we are now up
against the best in Dublin such as Kilmacud Crokes, St. Vincents
and Na Fianna. We travelled to Swords last Saturday to take on the
Fingallians and as required, streamed our team. Our stronger team
got off to a good start against an unbeaten stronger team from
Fingallians. Good points were scored by Cormac Foley and Michael
Boland to put us three points up but Fingallians hit back with 1-3
without reply from Bray leaving the half-time score in favour of
Fingallians 1-4 to 0-5.
Bray were doing nothing wrong in the first half but much
greater effort was required in the second half if we were in with a
chance of winning. The team responded well with great goals from
Thomas Foley and one from a sideline cut by Michael Boland.
Meanwhile, a penalty was awarded against us but Fingallians were
denied by a superb save from Padraig Doyle to deflect the ball over
the bar. Another high ball into the Fingallian square resulted in a
great flick of the ball to the net by Conor O'Doherty. Conor
McNally was reliable as ever in goals with good delivery of the
ball from puck outs. There was good solid defending, particularly
in the second half from Padraig Doyle, Patrick Michel, Dylan Terry
and Michael Pirkl. Padraig was very effective when he came many
times to centre back to bat down dangerous balls from the
Fingallians puck outs. Liam Benville made his presence felt much
better in the second half and put in a solid display. Billy Ray
tried hard in the forwards. All were rewarded with their hard work
with Bray finishing the stronger and winning by 3-7 to
2-5.
However, our weaker team has much more progress to make.
This is impossible to achieve without showing up frequently for
training where most players have been present for less than half
the training sessions this year. The exception to this is Dylan
Brady and Thomas Emms who make great efforts to attend. Lack of
adequate training is always reflected during a game and last
Saturday was no exception with the weaker team losing by 7-2 to 2-1
and resulting in Bray overall losing the game by 11 points. So
please don't let down your team mates. A much greater effort is
needed in showing up at training.