Reporting by Evan Curling & Lukass Svars
Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Rigney
Defenders:
- Left Back: O’Rourke
- Centre Back: Minnock
- Centre Back: Connolly
- Right Back: Galvin
Midfielders:
- Central Midfield: Heffernan
- Central Midfield: Dunne
- Left Midfield: O’Shea
- Right Midfield: Trainer
Forwards:
- Striker: Holton
- Striker: Daly
It was a cold winter morning in Birr as Coláiste Cholim arrived full of energy, ready for their 10:15 AM kickoff. The lads were buzzing after some big wins and couldn’t wait to get started.
After a solid warm-up, the game finally kicked off at 11:05 because, well, the referee didn’t show up on time. No matter, both teams were fired up and ready to play.
David O’Shea got things going early, blasting a rocket of a shot from outside the box into the top right corner. The keeper didn’t stand a chance, and everyone watching couldn’t believe their eyes.
Birr started to fight back and put on some pressure, but Coláiste Cholim’s defence wasn’t having any of it. They shut things down like pros and kept the clean sheet.
In the 19th minute, Daniel Holton tucked the ball into the bottom corner. Nice and tidy. A couple of minutes later, in the 21st, O’Shea floated in a beauty of a cross, and Dunne smashed a header home.
Holton wasn’t done yet, though. He grabbed his second after linking up perfectly with Mark Dunne, who slipped him a lovely through ball. Their teamwork was causing Birr all kinds of problems.
Birr almost got lucky, but their shot smacked off the woodwork. David O’Shea wasn’t messing around and booted the ball clear before they could get another chance. Later, Birr got a free kick, but they sent it flying over the bar. A total waste.
The second half started at 11:45, with Coláiste Cholim cruising. Jayden Daly decided to put on a show. He beat the defenders and stuck the ball into the bottom left corner. Cool as you like. Then, not even 30 seconds later, Daly did it again, slotting another one home. Birr’s defenders lost it, screaming for offside, but the ref didn’t care.
Daly wasn’t done—he bagged his hat trick just five minutes later. Three goals in no time at all. Absolute madness. After his heroics, Daly came off for Cunningham, getting a big cheer from everyone watching.
O’Shea, who’d been brilliant all game, got subbed off for Cassidy to keep the midfield fresh. Cunningham then played a lovely through ball to Heffernan, who finished it off, sliding the ball past the keeper. After his goal, Heffernan made way for Staunton, who came in to add fresh legs to the defence.
Holton got another goal after sneaking the ball past the keeper, cool and simple. After his fantastic game, he was subbed off for Grennan, who came on to finish things up.
The final whistle blew at 12:20, and Coláiste Cholim absolutely smashed it with a 9-1 win. They played out of their skins, shocking everyone who was watching.
Man of the Match? It had to be a tie between Daniel Holton and Jayden Daly, who both tore it up with their amazing performances.