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Cairnes Selected had a good win over Railway Selected at Hardman’s Garden on Sunday last in the Drogheda League benefit game.
The weather was very kind, an ideal day for football, no sun out and hardly any breeze. The game was a good one, both teams playing the more scientific game rather than the more usual kick and rush method that is so very often served up. Of the two teams Cairnes Selected were the more balanced lot, the halves played in perfect harmony with their forwards, while the backs gave a sterling display and were very safe in tackling and clearing out of danger.
Railway Selected gave a good display but were not as sound or constructive as their opponents. Just the same they almost held their own. Had the forwards responded to the good placings of the backs the game might have ended in a scoreless draw instead of a clear cut win of three goals by Cairnes. Carolan was the pick of the home forward line and played, I would say, his best game of the season at Railway Park.
The teams were: Cairnes Selected—Tiernan; White, Holt; McNally, Tiernan, C. Lynch; McQuillan, Coyle, P. Lynch, O’Brien, Leech.
Railway Selected—Clarke, Cluskey, McCormack; Smith, Bedford, McAuley; Carolan, Tiernan, Butler, Woods, Flanagan. The game was in the capable hands of Mr. McQuillan with Messrs. Smith and Gallagher as linesmen.
Shortly after the start Mulroy, who is not included in the above list and played in the backs for Cairnes Selected, was unfortunately, injured, and was unable to resume.
For the greater part of the first half Cairnes played with ten players and in keeping out Railway their win, indeed, is a meritorious one. After the interval McNally, who played in goal for Cairnes, came out to right half with Tiernan, Stingo’s regular goalie, coming on as twelfth man.
This is the first time I have ever seen a substitute played. This comes under Law I which reads as follows: “The game shall not be played by not more than eleven players on each side. By arrangements made before the commencement of a match (but not in a match played under the rules of a competition) substitutes may be allowed in place of injured players.”
Lynch (Peter) scored all three goals for Cairnes and so performed the “hat trick.”
He was a good leader all through, a dashing player in Sunday’s game : he took the eye at once as the best forward on view.
There was no score at the interval and on resuming at full strength Cairnes took a better grip of the game and looked winners alright. Nine minutes had only elapsed when Cairnes were one up. A long pass from Tiernan at centre half was utilised well by Lynch who burst through the backs with speed, shooting low into the corner of the net, giving Clarke no chance. Inspired with their success the leaders put on an extra spurt and six minutes later had the satisfaction of being another goal to the good.
A misunderstanding by the Railway rearguard let in Lynch who had no trouble in again finding the net.
The third goal came two minutes later. The ball had gone to touch well up on the right. McNally threw in the ball, Coyle received possession and had hard work in rounding an opponent. By sheer strength he was able to work his way through, at the same time keeping the ball at his toe; he kicked hard towards goal. Lynch jumped high, breasted the ball downto his toe and scored.
From this until the end the game continued at a fast pace. Cairnes’ defence refused-to be beaten down and with the exception of a few good‘ tries from Carolan.
Tiernan had an easy time. On the other hand Clarke was busy saving stinging shots from Tiernan at centre half who went all out several times to score; some of his shots actually grazed the crossbar in going over.
For ninety minutes, Clarke in goal had to be alert and watchful.
His job was no easy one, against a fast moving forward line playing good football he done well on the day’s play. Cluskey and McCormack were both good, especially the latter whose first time kicking was again good. Smith at right half, who plays for Drogheda United, is a well improved player and responded well whenever called upon and was the best half of the three.
Bedford looked tired before the end, while McAuley didn’t play up to his usual form.
In the forwards, the outside right was the best man for Railway, had Carolan to receive any support, perhaps another story might have been told. “Bunny” Tiernan looked small beside Cairnes left half, who had no trouble in getting all the high balls.
Butler at centre forward wasn’t a success and when moving out on the right wing he would shine by the way he would pass back the ball and run into position to get the return pass.
In the first half Wood was a worrier and sent in some good shots, but tired out near the end. Flanagan gave some good centres and several times beat O’Brien, who also played at one time at right half, by kicking the ball over his head for Wood to run on goalwards.