While the scoreline might look as it was a comprehensive win for the visitors, it slightly flatters them on the day. The first 1/4 was an even battle but Annaghdown set the foundation of the win with a excellent display of attacking football in the second 13 minutes of the game. Our men dug deep after half time but in truth we were chasing the game thereafter. In the first 18 minutes of the second half we hit the crossbar 3 times and the post twice, when maybe taking the point was a better option and could have set us up for the grandstand finish the game deserved. The longer the game went on the more evident it was that our luck was out. It was while we were on one of our attacks that Annaghdown won back possession, transitioned at pace up the pitch and worked an excellent goal to finish off the game as a contest in the final minutes. In all we fought hard and our never say die attitude was evident from the first to the last minute. As hard as we pushed to get the scores to get us back into the game the win was a deserved one for Annaghdown who were presented with the Shield Trophy by referee Martin Collins after the game.
For Headford Lucas Madden made some great saves in goal and was ably assisted by his brother Pierce, Kalem Redmond and Ruairi Langan in defence. Our two midfielders Sean Birmingham and Sean Lee worked themselves to a standstill while Nathan Patterson, John McCarthy and substitute Morgan Lee were the pick of the forwards.
Huge credit must go to Neil Walsh, Noel Gibsey, Daniel Garvey, Brian O’Connell & Tony O’Reilly for taking over this team at short notice and bringing them to a final at this very competitive grade. Well done from all in the club
