On Friday the class of 2023 squared off against the Collinstown Park Teacher's Team in what was a fantastic event to bid farewell to the students.
The students were managed on the day by Lee Greene who had the first tactical victory of the day by removing himself from the team sheet.
The game started at a ferocious pace and soon the teachers were dominant. Mr Loughnane was unmercifully bundled over in the box by Kane Casey and Ms Rooney had no other choice but to point at the penalty spot. Mr Dowling stepped up and wisely sent the ball over the crossbar, however he was soon notified that this was a game of soccer and not the much better game of Gaelic Football.
The game progressed and Mr O'Malley, Mr Henry, Mr Cassidy and Mr Ryan were an iron curtain in defence, limiting the hapless students to pot shots from distance. Dylan Walker, Ryan Doyle and Alex Devitt were all guilty of dismal efforts that only troubled the 40 bus on the Neilstown Road.
The first half highlight was Mr S. Higgins' tackle on Alex Devitt which galvanised the teachers and let the students know they were facing a tough task. Mr Harpur also lobbed the ball over Eric Melia's head which was a highlight but not as good as when he stepped one way and Amy Byrne went running the other.
The teachers were strengthened in the second half when the two Ms Kirwans, Ms Jones and Ms Clarke came on and had the students at sixes and sevens.
A very fortuitous goal by Dylan Walker after a deflection left him with an open net put the students up with ten minutes to go. It was time for Mayo man Mr Gilmore to come on and he changed the game. Chance after chance was sent wide by the Gaelic footballer until with seconds left on the clock Mr Harpur (The Collinstown Messi) squared it to Mr Lanigan and the teachers scored to level things. The 100s of students in attendance screamed and celebrated as the goal was richly deserved. Mr Lanigan's two brothers once played in the League of Ireland and with his finish it is only a question of how Stephen Bradley has not recognised him for the Shamrock Rovers team.
Up next were penalties and after the teachers sent one wide, Kane Casey had his penalty batted away by Mr Dowling. The students scored heir next three penalties without a response from the teachers and the game was over.
A great day, great fun and big celebrations after the match by the class of 2023.
