GETTING a good start was key to Mayobridge’s victory over St John Bosco in the county minor final. That was the analysis of joint manager Francie Poland following the team’s four-point victory over St John Bosco’s on Sunday.
Mayobridge had scored three goals in the first half and were ten points ahead to put themselves in a fantastic position.
“We had a great first half,” Francie said.
“We were ten points up at half time, sure you would have to be happy at that.
“I was pleased with the first half, their movement, their running off the ball. They scored three goals and they could have scored another two and the keeper pulled off two great saves.”
Francie, who is part of the management team that includes Eoghan Woods, Robbie Coulter, Rory O’Keefe, Brian McMahon, Declan Mason, Kevin McClorey and Mickey Walsh, explained that getting a good start was always the plan.
“There was a bit of a breeze. We got playing with the breeze. We said that if we got the playing with the wind in the first half then we would push at them.”
St John Bosco play their football in the league below Mayobridge so perhaps they were always going to be up against it. However, Francie said that their team showed Bosco the respect because they were the team that beat Kilcoo on the way to the final.
“Fair play to them. They beat Kilcoo. They scored six goals against Kilcoo so we were cautious.
“They had a few good players, but I think we were too good for them.
“They were a wee bit defensive but we were still able to cut them open at times in the first half. We still had runners coming through the middle and it worked well for us.”
Despite being behind int he first half, the Newry team came back into the game in the second half when they scored two goals.
Francie said, “In the second half they caused us trouble.
“They got a goal and we responded well. I think we got two points after they got the goal.
“Then they got a goal at the end that took it to four points but I think the game was over at that time.”
In the full piece Francie talks about what the win means for the club now, and in the future.