Garvey Thirds in dreamland with McClements Cup triumph

Both sides had plenty of youth and a good amount of experience threaded through with older heads Pako Pim and John Gray providing crucial experience to the Garvey side for a cup final.

The game began at an extremely high tempo as you would expect from a cup final with Raphoe pressing high and Garvey looking dangerous on the break. The first big

chance of the game came with a Garvey breakaway where Sean Murray began his impressive display with a ball to the back post which a diving Neal Mcknight was incredibly close to touching in to gain the lead, however the game remained equal. The youth up front for Raphoe caused a few problems for Garvey and after a mix up at the back Raphoe found themselves 1-0 up with 10 minutes left in the first half.

The goal proved to be exactly the kick start Garvey needed and they began to play the hockey they are capable of and won two successive short corners. The first was blocked by the Raphoe runner and as a result Garvey used a variation where the ball was played to John Gray at the back post. Gray’s shot struck a Raphoe foot on the line and Garvey were awarded a penalty stroke. It was captain Seb Buser that stepped up and kept his cool to slot the ball into the bottom left to make the game 1-1, game on.

Minutes later youngster Sean Murray gave Garvey the lead with a rebound after a slick move down the right and shortly after the half time whistle was sounded.

Garvey began the second half as they finished the first and were looking likely to extend their lead. However the game was a physical one and Garvey picked up numerous cards which in turn invited pressure onto themselves.

When back to full strength Garvey gained the lead through Sean Murray’s second goal of the game after he got on the end of a broken down short corner to beautifully strike the ball passed the keeper into the bottom right on the half volley. With 15 minutes left on the clock

the game seemed to be leaning in Garvey’s favour, however things were brought back to life after Raphoe found a lifeline after another mix up at the back from Garvey.

Things got even more nervy for Garvey when the game went to 3-3 after Raphoe’s efforts got them an equalizer with seven minutes left on the clock. When everyone thought extra time was looming, Garvey were awarded a short corner and a chance to win the game. It was the man of the match Sean Murray that claimed his hat-trick after following up on a short corner to slot the ball into the bottom left. With minutes left on the clock Glenn Whitten found himself pulling away from the Raphoe with his tremendous pace. One on one with the keeper Whitten was brought down and the second stroke of the game was awarded. It was Buser again who stepped up and sealed the game with another stroke into the bottom left to the delight of the Garvey support. The icing on the cake came when Garvey got their sixth from an unlikely source by the name of Marty Bothwell. during a short corner on the final whistle.

Two successive McClements Cup wins is an incredible achievement for a third XI and the Garvey boys will no doubt be delighted with their glory.