Bray People

Pat’s are too powerful

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ST PATRICK’S SHILLELAGH 3-13 0-5

A ‘Baptism of fire for senior debutants Shillelagh’ read the headline over the match report from the Senior hurling championsh­ip clash between the 1999 IHC winners and the improving St Patrick’s side that left reporter Peter Keogh wondering if this showing was the start of a revival in the capital town side.

Veterans Casey O’Brien, David Bury, George Johnson and goalie Colin Byrne formed the backbone of what the late Peter calls a ‘young team’ who did all that was required of them on the day.

‘Shillelagh were taking their first hesitant, some might say reluctant, step into Senior ranks,’ wrote Peter Keogh. ‘As always, they are fine athletes, strength and speed to burn, good fielders and reasonable strikers.

‘Their trouble is they don’t take the game of hurling seriously. They did not take part in the league and, according to one club official, did little or no hurling training,’ he added.

Neverthele­ss, things were tight enough up until half-time with St Patrick’s taking a 1-6 to 0-5 lead into the dressing rooms, David Bury with the goal.

However, the Pat’s men proved too strong for Shillelagh in the second half and when the underdogs lost full-back Anthony Grey it was curtains.

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