SENIOR FINAL
DANIEL GRAY HARRIGAN’S TEAM 5- 9
KACPER SZMYT’S TEAM 6- 5
SO CLOSE at the finish was the Senior Final between Daniel Gray Harrigan’s team and that of Kacper Szmyt a centre- field ‘ countback’ was required to reveal the result.
St John’s Principal and referee Bernard Mulhern confirmed a one point win for Daniel Gray Harrigan’s team at the end of a pulsating encounter.
The players gave it their all, with Kacper Szmyt’s team leading for much of the match, but Daniel’s side showing typical commitment and ‘ never- say- die’ spirit- to snatch the win by just a single point, ( 2423). Captain Szmyt’s team were 4- 3 to 2- 3 up at half- time, but there was plenty of drama reserved for a gripping second- half.
Daniel’s team had won a round- robin game between the teams by two points on a 4- 4 to 4- 2 scoreline earlier in the league and the scene was set for another hectic battle this time around. A goal from Lorenzo Franciosi was to level the final, before Kacper hit a goal for his side.
There were further scores at either end and as the final entered the closing stages, Lorenzo hit a point to reduce the gap.
Back came Kacper again with another point but just when it looked as though Daniel’s side would rue a number of wides, the captain found Ronan Ritchie and he hit his second goal to make it a draw once more.
There was still time for the deciding score and it came from the boot of Lorenzo Franciosi- whose brother Jacopo- was on the other team.
The kick out signalled the end and for many brought the question ‘ who won?’. Bernard declared the result to the large huddle gathered in the centre of the pitch after another memorable final day in the long history of St John’s.
DANIEL GRAY HARRIGAN’S TEAM: Daniel ( 2- 4), Ronan Ritchie ( 2- 1), Lorenzo Franciosi ( 1- 3), Luke Moran, Darren Feeney ( 0- 1), Nana Koranteng, Sandra Irwin Clarke, Hamlet Yolov, Senel Canbullu, Vanessa Tanko, Leigha Duncan, Glen Mulligan.
KACPER SZMYT’S TEAM: Kacper ( 3- 3), Ciara Rushe ( 2- 2), Jacopo Franciosi ( 1- 0), James Burns, David Lynch, Raibeen Palani, Ronan Culkin, Katie Pierce, Kelvyn Murray, Michael Clarke, Luke McCallion.