Cool McArdle seals VdeP Cup for Syls

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St Vincent de Paul Cup Final 2012 Ballymun Kickams 0-14 St Sylvesters 1-12 A much disputed penalty coolly slotted home by Gavin McArdle gave us a one point win and our first trophy of the season. Kickams led for most of the game but never managed to shake off a suprisingly fit and competitive Syls, missing an also disputed (so, what penalty isn't disputed now that I think of it) penalty at about 50 minutes that might have sealed it for them.

We started brightly with points from Micháel and Gary, Jockser was fielding well in the middle, Gavin and Glenn pushing forward from the wings and Eoin Fanning finding space inside. Mun took over for a while and we were lucky enough to go in 7 to 5 down at the break, Aiden Lalor making one magnificent block on the goal line and Dominic staking a strong claim for a starting spot with two other fine saves.

A bit of a cold wind in our backs in the second half helped, Darren came in for his final appearance, I presume, and looked every bit a class player, we pulled level but let it slip for a while, Dean Rock missed a penalty, Gary Sweeney, Mark Brennan and Nigel drove Syls forward but we missed a bunch of scores (we dropped to two inside forwards and I think it limited our options) but we had the fitness and drive to stay at it. A high free delivered into the square brought the right result, Micháel was cleaned out with no attempt to play the ball and despite a lot of Rí Rá agus Ruaile Buaile the ref kept his nerve and awarded the penalty and Gavin dug it out of the mud to beat the keeper.

Dominic definitely staked his claim in goal, Aiden is growing in stature in the corner, Fionn was back towards his best at full and Cian was good as ever. Dave Galvin was an impressive centre back well supported by Glenn and Gavin, Jockser had a good game in the middle with Ross, Gary was super carrying aggressively forward, scoring, play making while Mark Brennan and Eoin Fanning also contributed well in the half line. I think Nigel is getting his mojo back, Michael and Darren as usual the main scoring threats and Shane O'Connor looked fitter and moved better than I have seen for a while, roving to the middle and putting in a lot of strong tackles.

Padraig Bracken also made his final appearance (at least for the moment) and we wish him well and thank him for his efforts in the blue.

A very encouraging way to start the year.

I don't know why the trophy wasn't presented properly at the end, not too impressed with that.

Best of luck to Ballymun in the All Ireland semi final against Dr Crokes, I think a lot of our lads will travel to support them (even if there was no love lost between us today.), we certainly wish them well.