Monday 20 July 2009

**Match Report** Kevin Barry's vs. Four Province's / Donegal (NACB Tournament: Sun July 19th)

A highly anticipated game between the Kevin Barry's and The Four Province's took place on July 19th at Cardinal O' Doughtery. It was the first time in a few years that The Four Province's took the field in Philadelphia as lately they have been playing their football in the highly competitive New York league. This game was billed as one of the best of the year and it didn't disappoint.
The Barry's got off to a blistering start right from the throw-in and shocked the 4 P's with a couple of quick scores taken by Daniel McCloy and Mark Tierney. The quick passing style of the Barry's implemented by Coaches Gerard Dillon and Gary Rocks really had the 4 P's on the back foot and the Barry's increased their lead through scores from "Wee" Dave McCarthy and Patrick "Deuce" Doris. The 4 P's re-grouped and finally got on the score sheet midway through the first half. The chess match continued and the 4 P's now took a couple of nice scores to get right back in the mix.
The Barry's were playing well at every position on the field. The defense, marshalled by goalkeeper "Big" Dave Lordan, were having an outstanding day. Team Captain Danny Clark, Brendan Trainor, and Benny Landers were holding solid throughout the first half, and with the searching forward runs of Eugene Martin and Danny McCloy the Barry's were putting on a fine display. A masterful performance from start to finish by Colly Doris in the midfield really helped the Barry's get on top of the 4 P's and their frustration continued to grow. Two more first half points from Tierney and McCarthy put the Barry's in a great position at half time.
The Barry's expected a 4 P's fightback in the second half and that is exactly what they got. The 4 P's started quickly and a goal put them right back in it, and left a 2 point margin between the teams. The Barry's were now being pressured and they needed an answer. They replied with a fine pressure score from half forward Petey McElhill. This score seemed to lift the Barry's and they added further scores through Colly Doris, "Wee" Dave McCarthy and Patsy Quinn. The Barry's were now back on top but the 4 P's continued to press and took another couple of fine scores to keep them in the game. A couple of Barry's subs to counteract the 4 P's onslaught saw John Harkin come in for Benny Landers, Patsy Quinn come in for Mark Tierney, and Paul O' Sullivan come in for Daniel McCloy.
Midway through the second half Petey McElhill took yet another fine pressure point, a free from Deuce Doris and a well taken point from Patsy Quinn kept the Barry's slightly ahead in the game. The Barry's then had a great chance to kill the game off when they were awarded a penalty after PJ Lavery was taken down in the area. Patsy Quinn was the man trusted with the kick but he shot wide of the post and handed the 4 P's a lifeline. With time running down the 4P's bombarded the Barry's goal but "Big" Dave Lordan was up to the task and he cleared his lines emphatically. The Barry's were now looking to kill the game off and they did just that with another McElhill point and a fine score from the grass by "Wee" Dave McCarthy. The icing on the cake was then added by Bobby Ray who took a booming point that got the crowd going. The heart of the Barry's held strong right to the final whistle for what proved to be a fully deserved victory against a very good opposition.

Final Score:
Kevin Barry's (0-14)
Four Province's (1-7)

Barry's Scorers:
Daniel McCloy (0-1), Mark Tierney (0-2), Patrick Doris (0-2), Bobby Ray (0-1), Colly Doris (0-1), Dave McCarthy (0-3), Patsy Quinn (0-1), Petey McElhill (0-3)

**Match Report** Kevin Barry's vs. Young Irelanders(NACB Tournament: Sun July 12th)

July 12th seen the Kevin Barry's take on the Young Irelanders in the first game of the NACB Tournament. Both teams fielded strong line-up's that had a new look. Comming in for their Barry's debut this season were Colm "Colly" Doris, Eugene Martin, PJ Lavery, Mark Tierney and Patrick "Deuce" Doris. The Game started very brightly for the Barry's and they sooned opened the scoring through a well taken point by Daniel McCloy. The Barry's kept the pressure on and increased their commanding lead through scores from half forwards Petey McElhill and "Wee" Dave McCarthy. Patrick "Deuce" Doris then slotted over a fine free and the Barry's were now up by 4 points. Young Irelanders battled hard and tempers began to flare midway through the first half and a few heated exchanges ensued. The Barry's continued to take the game to the Irelanders and the defensive performances of Benny Landers, Danny Clark and Brendan Trainor continued to frustrate the opposition.
A Young Irelanders goal midway through the first half sparked them into life and they started a spirited fightback with a few well taken scores, but the Barrys held firm and continued to plug away. Patsy Quinn slotted in 2 fine goals and points from Colly Doris, "Wee" Dave McCarthy and Patrick "Deuce" Doris really put the Barry's in a commanding position going into half-time. The second half was a more quiet affair with a lot of fouls being commited by both teams. Young Irelanders were able to add a couple of more points to their tally but they never really threatened the Barry's big lead. Second half scores from Deuce Doris, Patsy Quinn, Bobby Ray and Daniel McCloy saw the Barry's run out easy winners in the end.

Final Score:
Kevin Bary's: (2-12)
Young Irelanders: (1-4)

Barry's Scorer's: Daniel McCloy (0-2), Peter McElhill (0-2), Patsy Quinn (2-0) "Wee" Dave McCarty (0-2), Patrick "Deuce" Doris (0-4), Colly Doris (0-1), Bobby Ray (0-1)