These are tough times for Young Islanders

ON Sunday September 11, the Valentia Young Islanders footballers made the long journey to Tousist to engage the locals in a Co. Novice quarter final, losing by a score of 1-13 to 2-6.

The game started in conditions of driving wind and rain, with the rain abating for a period, but returning towards the final quarter of the second half. The half-time score stood at nine points to 1-1 in favour of Tuosist. Ger ‘The Plumber’ O’Shea scored the goal with Andy Quigley contributing a pointed free.

The Islanders played the second-half with the aid of a strong wind but were slow to capitalise, and when they did achieve some dominance it was too late

Andy Quigley contributed another pointed free. Paul O’Connor also had two points. Ger O’Shea scored a point and midfielder and later full forward Jim Lynch scored a goal and a point to leave the islanders falling short by four points at the final whistle.

These are tough times for a numbers decimated Valentia Young Islanders, as they constantly struggle to put 15 on the field, with one or two injuries or absentees for one reason or another making a major impact.

On this occasion, John Shanahan and the brothers Brendan and Paul O’Sullivan were out through injury, while Junior Murphy had work commitments. The Islanders fielded the bare 15 with no subs

Corner forwards Richard Quigley and John Lynch, though both injured, were compelled to carry on playing as replacements did not exist.

Team: Brian O’Connor; Brian Falvey, John Daly, David Hussey; Aaron Quigley, John Curran, Senan Lynch; Jim Lynch, Liam George; Andy Quigley, Paul O’Connor, Mark Lynch; Richard Quigley, John Lynch. Referee: Brendan Brosnan (Glenflesk).

Footnote: While passing through the scenic town of Kenmare on our way to the match in Tuosist, we bumped into longstanding friends Arthur O’Sullivan of Kenmare and James McCarthy of Kenmare (originally Tuosist).

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to socialise with them afterwards in Kilmacallogue. However, there will be other days for the recall of old friends and times past.