Legends XI Fight For Victory.
If anyone had doubts about the competitive edge to a Legends XI game, they should have come to Morton Stadium in Fingal, Dublin on Sunday afternoon.
The game was played in great spirit, but neither team wanted to loose. This was confirmed in the 62nd minute when a 50:50 tussle for the ball between Jason McAteer and GAA All Star Stephen Cluxton resulted in both players being red carded for an off the ball incident. Conflicting reports say what actually happened but one thing is for sure it showed that both players were out to win the game for their team.
The game ended in 4-2 victory for John Aldridge’s team with first half goals coming from Keith Gillespie and Paul Walsh, the teams came in at half time with the Legends XI team leading 2-1. Straight after the break the Darndale FC XI, littered with local Sporting Stars such as Bernhard Brogan, Stephen Cluxton, Bernard Dunne and Pat Gilroy, equalized.
For the next 10 minutes the game was very tight with both teams having the chance to go in front. The best opportunity falling to Keith Gillespie but the Darndale’s goal keeper pulled of a tremendous near post finger tip save after Gillespie had danced his way around 3 Darndale defenders before unleashing a power strike on goal.
The 62nd minute spat between McAteer and Cluxton certainly highlighted the competitiveness of the game and after the incident had been tidied up by the ref Aldridge’s team seemed to step up a gear to score 2 quick goals to kill the game off.
A through ball by Paul Walsh put Gillespie clear down the left, he crossed deep to the back post for Don Hutchison who calmly chested the ball over the goal line. John Aldridge then got himself onto the goal sheet when he met another pinpoint cross from Gillespie to pass the ball into the net with his right foot giving the goal keeper no chance.
That ended the scoring in this fiercely competitive contest. Final score John Aldridge XI 4 Darndale FC XI 2.
A huge thank you has to go to Tommy Daly, Gordon Moore and their team at Darndale FC for hosting a brilliant event on Sunday. They worked tirelessly for months to make the event the great success it was on the day! Congratulations and we hope to see you next year!
