While John Tuffy and Cian Walsh were unavoidably absent, Shane Feeney (whose doing some the reporting here) returned to Longmeadows on Sunday afternoon as the St Brendan’s Football 2nd XV, in partnership with Stoneybatter Pride Of Place commenced their Junior 5 All County Championship against Geraldine P Morans.

Much to the disappointment of some players, they were ordered to sell any Oasis or Robbie Williams Croke Park concert tickets and focus on getting the W here. John ‘I Hate Denis Bastick’ Joyce and Eoin ‘The Danger Man’ McAuley were two players who had to miss last night’s Robbie Williams concert.

The Darkest Force led 4-6 to 4 points at half time. The Foxrock based outfit opened the scoring but that was as good as it got. Our first 2 scores were goals from James ‘The Hypnotist’ McKenna. Points were tagged on by The Banner Raiser Brian Hobbins, The Landlord Andy Moran Richie ‘Blackmore’ O’Hara and Dylan ‘Not The Galwayman’ McHugh. A great team move resulted in O’Hara driving a shot into the keepers bottom right corner. O’Hara celebrated the goal by getting the whole team to chant “Free Mo Chara and F*** Keir Starmer!” (O’Hara was watching Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance, again, on YouTube, to get himself riled up for the match.)

2nd half was less frantic Alan ‘Mack Hansen’ Pierce, Moran, Conor ‘Bodie’ Harris and The Hypnotist all contributed points to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Morans went looking for goals but the back line held firm and keeper Dave McElester had no real saves to make.

4-11 to 1-10 final score and Shane ‘The Merc’ Feeney left Longmeadows with two Championship points in the boot of his Merc and the widest smile his plastic surgeon can give him!

Next up is an away September 7th Championship clash with Trinity Gaels.