Baltinglass Town 5

St. Joseph’s 3

St Joseph’s Senior team travelled to Baltinglass for the first round of the Shield Cup.

This was the first outing for the majority of these players in a senior competition outside of Youths football. Despite a nervous start by Joeys it was nip and tuck in the middle of the field with both sides playing attacking football. With chances created at both ends, it was the home team who were to capitalise first. Keeping their heads Joeys started to settle and in the 29th minute were awarded a free kick just outside the box, which was calmly converted by Evan McGuire to level the game. A much-needed confidence booster for the visitors saw them continue to press and a cross by Dylan McDermott into the home team’s box was deflected into the net leave Joeys 2-1 up at half time.

Baltinglass started strongly in the second half and it wasn’t long till they found the equaliser. The home team started to take control of the game, but on a counter-attack Kit Gaffney found Dylan McDermott, who received the ball inside the box, and he slotted it into the bottom left to put the visitors back on top. Joeys, who fought hard for 15 minutes to hold onto this lead were soon broken down and the game was level once again. With tired legs Joeys were under constant pressure for the last 15 minutes and eventually the experience of the home team proved too much and they added two more to their tally leaving the final score 5-3.

A great debut for this young team and a great performance by all.