Co Down Atticall Charity Match Extravaganza

January 05, 2009
Holy Cross Park Atticall was the setting on Sunday 28th December for a great day's football, fun and entertainment as the players of Atticall and the Legends of Mourne played their hearts out in the name of the Southern Area Hospice.    The first match of the day saw The Sloan's take on The Rest, followed by the Legends of Upper Mourne Vs Lower Mourne.   The Sloan's V The Rest   The Sloan's V The Rest match started with The Rest settling quickly and finding the net through Kieran O'Hare (with an assist from Gary Morgan) and a point from Jonathan Morgan. The Sloan's responded with Andrew Sloan firing over a good point.    The Rest were definitely up for this one and showed some fine moves throughout the field.  It could be said however that the Sloan's were not taking the threat of the Rest too seriously.  This was shown when Darren Sloan sold Kevin Grant down the river in a showboat, and repeated it again a few seconds later for good measure.  The Rest proved their determination to get one up on the Sloan's and only a great low save from Paddy Sloan in goals prevented another certain goal.  The Rest however soon extended their lead through Jonathan Morgan, with the Sloan's responding through Ronan Sloan (a fine effort).  At half time the Rest led The Sloan's by 1-03 to 0-03.   The second half began with Ryan 'Frostie' Sloan hitting the floor hard after a challenge from Kevin Quinn (however the sniper was never found!). The Sloan's moved up the field and scored a great point involving Ronan, Daniel, Louis with Kieran B Sloan firing over a great point.  The Rest moved through the Atticall defence with Kieran 'Bap' O'Hare (returning to competitive action after AFL trials in Australia) firing over a wonderful solo point.   The Rest then extended their lead with Paul Trainor playing a great crossfield ball to Chris Morgan, who punched into the back of the net, past a helpless Paddy Sloan.  The returning Wayne McCullough then defied the years to put over a point with some class.  Indeed Wayne later found the back of the net to make it a somewhat vintage performance from the veteran!   The Rest capped off a fine performance finding the net once again to make sure that the Cup found a new home for the third year in a row as captain Shane Fitzpatrick lifted the Cup.   All credit and thanks must be given to all the players who turned out for their respective sides in aid of the Southern Area Hospice.  Many thanks also to referee Neil Cousins for officiating.   The challenge has now been set for next years match as The Rest will be keen to become the first side to retain the Cup, whilst The Sloan's will be aiming to prevent this and inflict a degree of revenge!  Get training now boys!   The Sloan's Ryan Sloan, Darren Sloan, Kieran Sloan, Daniel Sloan, Paddy Sloan, Mark Sloan, Eddie Sloan, Brendan Sloan, Liam Sloan, Aaron Sloan, Louis Sloan, Ronan Sloan, Andrew Sloan, Kieran Sloan, Phillip Sloan, Patrick Sloan.  Team Mentors - Mickey Sloan & Noel Sloan   The Rest Kevin Grant, Dominic Trainor, Paul Trainor, John Bradley, Kieran O'Hare, Kieran Quinn, Martin Trainor, Kevin Quinn, Gary Morgan, Shane O'Hare, Gary Morgan, Martin Magee, Shane Fitzpatrick, Barry McAlinden, Daniel Quinn, Conor Quinn, Noel Morgan, Chris Morgan, Jonathan Trainor, John Magee, Tony O'Hare, Wayne McCullough, Dean Fitzpatrick, Sean Cunningham.  Team Mentors - Kieran Small, Oliver Murphy & Joseph Colgan.   Referee ñ Neil Cousins   The Legends Match Upper Mourne Vs Lower Mourne   The Legends Match certainly pitted some former heavyweights of the local game against one another in what was a keenly contested match at Holy Cross Park Atticall. Lower Mourne started brightly with Brendan Trainor firing wide.  Upper Mourne then responded with Paul Fitzpatrick firing wide when it seemed easier to score (Start counting Fitzy ñ that's number 1).   Lower Mourne then got the scoring started with Brendan Trainor finding the back of the net.  The Legends from both teams then started to turn on the style with Paul Fitzpatrick turning Gerard McVeigh inside out.  Mel Cunningham defied the years by darting up and down the line and setting up Michael Gilroy who came tantalisingly close to pointing.  Upper Mourne then equalised with Eamonn O'Rourke firing past a despairing Rocky in nets!   Upper Mourne then started to turn the screw somewhat on their Lower Mourne counterparts, with Paul 'Ploops' Grant acting as the puppetmaster for Upper Mourne in the middle of the field.  Indeed Geppetto Ploops set up Michael Gilroy who slid his shot just past the posts.  Upper Mourne then took the lead as Conrad McAlinden fisted over the bar.   Lower Mourne then tried to work their way back into the match with former Down Star Paul Higgins firing across the goals ñ however the ball was well intercepted by James Cunningham.  Indeed the local butcher was a calming influence in defence and realised what was at steak in this match (geddit ñ steak)!  As much as Lower Mourne tried however it was Upper Mourne who finished the half strongly as Geppetto Ploops found the net with a fine finish after some fine work up the pitch from his team-mates.  Paul Fitzpatrick then finished the first half scoring by pointing after a fine team move involving Ploops, Enda Cunningham and Michael Gilroy.   The second half started well for Upper Mourne with Conrad McAlinden firing over a point.  Paul Fitzpatrick then had the chance for a goal but put it wide (that's number 2 Fitzy).  Upper Mourne then extended their lead after a sweeping move in which Conrad McAlinden unselfishly passed to Paul Fitzpatrick who fired over the bar when it seemed easier to score (hmmm ñ that's number 3).  Fitzy then put wide again (number 4), before Conrad McAlinden pointed.  In between Fitzy shooting wide Colin 'Soupy' Campbell pulled off the save of the match to prevent Lower Mourne getting back into the match.   Lower Mourne then hit back with Paul Higgins and Rocky both pointing well.  Upper Mourne then went through on goal again but this time Conrad McAlinden fired wide himself rather than passing to Fitzy, who was better placed (well it did save Fitzy the hassle of putting it wide himself!).  Enda Cunningham then put Fitzy clear through on goal, however Kieran Small pulled off a great save.    Points were then traded between the two sides before Paul Higgins squeezed the ball past Soupy from an impossible angle.  Upper Mourne then went upfield again and when faced with a one on one for goal Paul Fitzpatrick was again denied (because he kicked it wide ñ that's number emm, let me think, hmmm ñ number 5! Oh dear Fitzy).  Upper Mourne were then denied a penalty before Lower Mourne went upfield and were awarded one themselves.  At such a late stage in the game nerves were present and the ball was handed between the Lower Mourne team before Clifford Parks stepped up to the mantle and fired the ball past a despairing Soupy Campbell in nets.   That finished the scoring in an entertaining game with Upper Mourne running out the winners, with Kevin 'Bap' McCullough hoisting the cup aloft for the victors.   All credit and thanks must be given to all the players who turned out for their respective sides in aid of the Southern Area Hospice.  Many thanks also to referee Patsy Quinn for officiating.   Upper Mourne Colin 'Soupy' Campbell, Mel Cunningham, Raymond Sloan, James Cunningham, Kevin 'Bap' McCullough, Eamonn O'Rourke, Enda Cunningham, Paul 'Fitzy' Fitzpatrick, Michael Gilroy, Paul 'Ploops' Grant, Conrad McAlinden   Lower Mourne Michael 'Rocky' O'Rourke, Eamonn Phillips, Christopher Cunningham, Noel Quinn, John Poland, Clifford Parks, Paul Higgins, Damien Poland, Brendan Trainor, Gerard 'Turncoat' McVeigh, Kieran Small (introduced ñ although he complained that he technically wasn't old enough)   This was a great day of entertaining football and craic which was enjoyed by old and young alike.  Praise should be given to the organisers of the event in aid of the Southern Area Hospice ñ it was a fantastic day.  Thanks must also be offered to each and every person who helped out on the day with the field, the hot toddies, the facilities in general and who helped prepare and serve food.  Thanks also to all the players and to all those who supported the event in any way.

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