Football - Men's B Team

Most Valuable Player - Matt Wall

Saturday

1.        We played Beijing A. Off to a tough start but some penetrating runs from Dave Weir and great one-twos with Alan Power saw us up by one goal at half time. Matt Walls got the second half off to a great start with an early goal and some very solid Aussie defense from Steffensen and Mc Cance saw us contain the Beijingers in eth 2^nd half.
2.        Wombats: feared as our nemesis, this was a game which we were least looking forward to. We played a good running game with Matt Walls and Neil making a big impact and cleaning up in defence and Alan Power slotted in a few goals.
3.        Shenzen: our reputation proceeded us into this game and the opposition pleaded for mercy before the game began. The only person not to score a goal was John Galvin, despite 5-6 open goal chances, one going over the bar of an empty net. Galvin would surely eventually have scored had the referee not blown up the game 3 minutes early.

Sunday

1.        Final Game of the Group, Vietnam A- building on the earlier momentum we met one of the new teams to the competition and this was ugly. Despite some earlier skirmishes the viet cong were overwhelmed by the B teams flowing passing and David Weir’s golden boots.
2.        Korea B  - Having safely negotiated the group, the Lions faced Korea B - comfortably won.  Lee Fitzgerald having finally fought his way onto the pitch scored 2 fine goals in the 2nd have, to make the game safe.
3.        Hong Kong B: We were instructed by Donnacha that this game was to avenge the recent string of losses the club had suffered at the hands of Hong Kong and we duly obliged.
4.        Dubai B: Stubbornness to kick points despite the laments of our Cork coach Ger Barry was to be our downfall. No opportunity for a 20-30 meter tap over the bar was taken during the whole game. The quest for that elusive goal was to be our downfall in the end, but at least we can say that we went down swinging.
The forwards played a blinder and the Gods were certainly looking down on the Dubai Defense. Alan Power was only narrowly denied on 3 occasions and on 2 occasions Lee Fitzgerald was mounted while running goal wards by an overly enthusiastic defense- both times without an awarded free. Dave Weir popped over 3 points and only a well timed save and narrow wide denied him the net.
In the end, it was to be a stroke of luck on a breaking ball in the midfield which gave the Dubai full-forward a clean 5 meter head-start from 30 meters out and despite a valiant effort at a save from Paraic McGrath he did not look this gift horse in the mouth.
Great performance again from Matt Walls in midfield and some superb foraging runs from Alan Power to link into the forwards.

                         

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