Vincent’s resurgence continues with big win in Finglas

Finglas United 0-5
St Vincent’s Hospital FC
Monday, 17 August 2020
LSL Major Saturday 1B

St Vincent’s Hospital FC’s excellent form since the post-Covid restart continued apace, with the final scoreline arguably generous to their hosts.
After picking up three vital points away to Dunboyne just 48-hours previously in the baking sunshine, this tie posed a completely different test.

A heavy pitch, drenched throughout by a steady downpour meant that the in-form doctors faced that age-old Leinster Senior League question: Can you do it on a wet Monday night in Finglas?

As it happened, Vincent’s were rampant. Continuing with a fluid three-at-the-back system with attacking wing backs cutting inside, the hosts had no answer to the onslaught of chances created from the opening minutes.

Eddy Wrynn, deployed through the middle in a strike partnership with Rory Durand, got plenty of opportunities to use his pace in behind the Finglas defence and opened the scoring early on after latching onto a through ball. Both Wrynn and Durand had opportunities to extend the advantage, though Vincent’s were indebted to goalkeeper Paule Schulz, who made two excellent saves from Finglas breaks.

Despite having most of the possession and chances, the visitors held only that slender advantage at the interval. However, a flurry of goals shortly after the restart added a deserved sheen to the scoreboard.

Brian Gaffney struck twice, the first a wonderful solo effort – carrying the ball from deep in midfield, the attacking midfielder weaved his way past four or five Finglas defenders before dinking the ball over the onrushing keeper.

Emmet O’Brien got his name on the scoresheet, though only after consultation with the Dubious Goals Committee, when his header from a Ger Cheevers cross was deflected into the net, before John Cosgrove completed the scoring with a low drive from 20 yards on his weaker right foot.

After a difficult opening to the season, where the club struggled following the upheaval of player and management departures, the post-lockdown period has been kind to Vincent’s, who continue to climb up the Major Saturday 1B table and move away from the relegation trapdoor that had loomed large in the first part of the campaign.

Matchday squad (3-5-2): Paule Schulz, Colm Kirby, Kieran Keane, Paul Lynch, John Cosgrove, Emmet O’Brien, Andy Delany, Ger Cheevers, Brian Gaffney, Rory Durand, Eddy Wrynn.
Subs: Cian Ward, David Kennedy, John O’Grady, Mat Berkeley.