Hertfordshire GAA - Round-up Results All Britain JFC, Herts 1.03 : Yorkshire 0.13 SFC, Éire Óg 1.09 St Vincents 0.12 (Called off) Fé 14 Football League: St Colmcilles 1.04 : St Dympnas 5.09 Glen Rovers 3.06 : St Josephs 1.05 Fixtures 7pm, Wed, 17 June, Fé Football League: Sundon Park, St Dympnas v Glen Rovers Waltham Cross, St Josephs v Glen Rovers. Cotlandswick, 2pm, Sunday 21 June, All Britain JFC Herts v London Game left in Limbo with one minute left. Over in Oxhey Park in Watford on Saturday, the Senior Football Championship patrons enjoyed the most entertaining game of the season. However, as we wondered if Éire Óg and St Vincents were going to draw the game at 1.09 to 12 points, encroachment onto the pitch forced réiteóir, Damien Maloney to abandon the game. The great pity was that these two fine sides from Oxford and Luton had battled sportingly throughout the game to provide a feast of football for the attendance. Into injury time and the battle for supremacy had the attendance in suspense, when a disagreement (most likely the result of exhausted bodies) between two opposing players resulted in a big gathering on one side of the pitch. The young referee, if he wants it, is surely destined to become an inter-county referee. How disrespectful then, it was to the young man, of those who encroached and the players who ran across to the incident to refuse his instruction to withdraw to allow the game to finish. Maddening is the thought that spectators and mentors alike, had earlier commented within earshot of this scribbler, what a fine refereeing job he was doing. Oxhey Park was adorned in glorious sunshine for the game and the two sides did their best to match the gaiety of the day. There was plenty of end to end fare as both sides battled for supremacy throughout. Éire Óg leading at half time with a comfortable enough lead of five points with the score at 1.07 to 5 points, Vincents surprised them after the interval as they upped the ante. Helping the Luton along was the wind that freshened in the 2nd half. Twice in the opening half, the ball came off the Vincents' woodwork. At the other end in the 18th minute, Éire Óg goalkeeper, Ryan Davies, came out to narrow the gap and force John Boyle to blaze wide. The crucial score came shortly afterwards when Pierce McGlynn split the Vincents' defence. Thomas McGaughan collected the pass and rifled the ball low to the net passed 'keeper, Micheal McCarey. In the opening half, Gaughan and no 11, Johnny McMahon shared the points between them for Éire Óg. Midfielder, Paul Ó Connor and no 11, Damian Knowles shared the Vincents' points in the opening half. Ó Connor with his midfield partner, Phillip Mann played out a titanic battle in the centre all afternoon against their opposites, Damian Perks and Frank Jones. Certainly, in the 2nd half the Vincents pair shaded the contest as the Oxford pair ran a little out of steam and their passing loss some of its accuracy. Éire Óg were first to score after the interval. Awarded a free in the second minute, the referee's decision was disputed too long by some Vincents' players. and with the ball now 13 metres closer to goal, the distance proved no trouble for the accurate free-taking of Perks. Still, that was as good as it was going to get for a long time for Perk's side, as it was Vincents who showed greater stamina, along with some neat team work, to put real and enduring pressure on the Éire Óg's defence. The points began to reel of the boots off the Vincents' forwards. Ó Connor was first to score from a free. One minute later Damian Gill added another. Damian McCabe came on the field and immediately from his full forward position won possession and passed to Kevin Sheridan who pointed. McCabe was threatening a stormer but full credit to Éire Óg full back, Neil Conway who never really put a foot wrong all day. James McGlynn a centre half back was soundness personified too, even though he was pitted against Ó Connor who roamed everywhere. Sporadic were the breaks to threaten the Vincents' rearguard. When Éire Óg did mount them, Philip Mann and Stephen Flood were in sparkling form. Knowles, and particularly Ó Connor took over where they left off in the opening half to add four further points by the 26th minute of the half. With Vincents now leading by a point, the tension becoming unbearable, Éire Óg supporters urged their side on for one more effort. The call was heard and it was McMahon who made a great run before shooting the equaliser. It is no more than this game deserves but to extol its virtues as it never cantered at any stage. Such a pity then that it reached the conclusion it did when we were on tenterhooks wondering were we to get a result favouring one or the other. Tweet

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