Fifths V Smithfield (Minor Cup Rd2 24/01/10)

An incredible day!! The sun shone brightly on a warm pleasant January lunchtime at Glenanne Park. Warm Favourites Smithfield were surprised by an energetic Fifths performance. A very tight game was decided by veteran penalty stroke taker Johnny Keppel scoring!!  Yes for the first time since Adam was a lad, Keppel scored a penalty stroke. Phone calls all round world hockey failed to yield the answer to the question ‘When did Johnny last score a flick?’ Three Rock remembered the Peacock miss. Wicklow recollect the ball that went into the harbour. SBPP recalled the one that got caught in the mud. Monkstown claimed the St Andrews miss. RCSI talked of the man driving past the goal on his Honda who was nearly killed. Pembroke vividly recalled the one that hit the post. Corinthian identified the one that did not move more than two inches. The World golden oldies carnival could not identify a conversion. In fact a call to the Keppel PR machine could not tell us of a successful score!!! Until proven otherwise we reckon this was his first ever score from the spot. Commentators such as Mr Allen of the BBC and Mr McSweeney of the Blanchardstown and Kilcock Gazette frantically searched their data bases, but to no avail.

Glenanne pulled out what looked like a surprising result against league leaders Smithfield on Sunday afternoon in round 2 of the Minor Cup. However, underneath it all, it proves that our level of play is not far off the league leaders, but the umpires have a major part to play. They kept great control on a fast moving long hitting competitive game.

Play was quite 'stop-go' due to the amount of infringements awarded. However decent play prevailed. Darragh pulled off another outstanding performance between the sticks, making only an error or two, but also making an impressive dive to save from a short corner. Having rested Eddie against YM in order to keep him fresh for Sunday, he added much of what we were missing up front. Tim Lyne played his first of the season at left back and really impressed, never missing a tackle. Hopefully he will continue to play for the remainder of the season. Breen Merriman played a commanding role at centre back.

The three mid-fielders worked tirelessly throughout the match.

Performance of the afternoon though, and I likened him to a young Bruce, McGrath or Vidic character on the day, was Glenn McEnroe. Again, he shied away from little to none and went whole heartedly after every ball. He's one for the future, but feck off if you think you're taking him this season. We now go on to meet YM in the semis in March. Fair dues to Smithfield they accepted defeat graciously and wished us the best of luck in the rest of the competition.

John Keppel scored a rare penalty stroke mid way through the half. The scene was classic pantomime. Rees had fluffed his lines the day before in the league game against YM and Johnny came racing up the field as soon as he saw the umpire raise his right hand in the air and point to the spot with his left. He picked up the ball and planted his feet just beside the spot. Nobody else was going to take this penalty!!! Two wiggles of his little bum and swish the ball flew through the air and hit the net high to the keepers left. Chest out and beaming from ear to ear he slapped every hand on the way back to the sweeper zone. At the end of the game loud boasting had most of the team wishing, I wont say it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Final score Glenanne 1 Smithfield 0.

Man of the Match: Glenn McEnroe

Mike Greene