Recap

Match Report by: Neil O’Brien.

The second game of the night saw our new team, The Montreal City Blues face off against seasoned campaigners The Verdun Vikings. The Blues went into the game as heavy underdogs with only four of their players having had any real previous experience in the game, while their opponents boasted a well of experience throughout the team. The game started on an even keel with the Blues getting on a lot of early ball but failing to reap the rewards, dropping a number of shots into the make shift keeper Ronan Shaughnessy’s arms. The Vikings were making more use of their early possession and raced into an early four-point lead with scores from the Athenry antelope Ronan Corbett who bagged a couple, Simon (The Juggernaut) Chamberland and the very impressive Pat Bibeau. Indeed, Bibeau stretched the lead even further with a brilliant solo effort when he ran at the blues defence like a gazelle tiptoeing through tulips and blasted the ball into the top corner to widen the margin to seven points. But not for the first time on the evening the Blues showed what they’re all about and battled back with great determination. Martin Baneham registered his first score of the evening with a free before moments later the same man rifled home a brilliant goal after some great work from skipper Dan Robinson and midfield general Eliot Kempster. However, the Vikings responded like the wily old stalwarts they are and a point from the ever-reliable Jake Ouellette and then another goal from that man Bibeau restored the seven-point lead. Both teams worked some good positions after this but failed to capitalize with some wayward shooting in the final third. Corbett leathered one into the graveyard with Bibeau free as a bird inside him for a hat-trick. Corbett claimed afterwards, ‘I didn’t see him!’ It looked as though the score was settled going into the half time break but that was until ‘The Juggernaut’ got on the end of a ball from Sligo legend Jimmy Foley to rampage through the Blues defence and rifle it past the debutant Richie Edwards. To see this guy in full flight Is something that has to be seen to be believed. Referee Steven Owens then blew the whistle for half time.

Its worth mentioning too that the Blues were without some key players and in fact played with no subs in the first half. A very tough ask in a nine aside game on a CFL field. Matt Stoker arrived at half time to bolster the Blues squad and give their players a much-needed breather in the second half. Many teams would lie down and die or allow themselves to be steamrolled with a huge deficit of 12 points to overcome but not these lads. The Blues came out all guns blazing in the second half. In the defense, Matty Payne and Kenneth Boudreau were getting to terms with their opponents and both put in a brilliant second half display. Richie Edwards who has both an AFL and rugby background (albeit a Welsh rugby background) was beginning to show the classy football skills he has while experienced players like Robinson, Dowling, Baneham and Mc Auliffe were all getting on top of their opposite numbers. In the forwards, Stoker, Kempster and team manager Luke Anderson began to find their feet and link the play beautifully with their midfielders. Baneham was running hot. Almost straight from the throw in he was on the end of a sumptuous move involving Boudreau and Robinson before calmly sliding it past old timer Shaughnessy in the Vikings goals. He was at it again minutes later when he curled over a lovely point to narrow the deficit even further. The Vikings were rattled. The new boys in town were here and they weren’t going quietly into the night. The usually very calm and composed Paddy Bourke was chirping at everyone from the referee, to his own players, to the gravedigger in the adjacent field. Strange, considering usually he’s a breath of fresh air on the pitch particularly for the ref. MVP Baneham added another point and the Blues were suddenly right back in it. But credit to the Vikings they rode the storm and Damian Connelly, in particular, began to assert himself on the game. He popped over two points to settle the nerves. Richie Edwards came out of goals in the second half and he had a significant impact. He was rewarded with a well taken score. Baneham and Bourke then exchanged a point each. That man Chamberland added another to bring his tally to 1-2. But the Blues kept on coming and Baneham once again got on the end of a brilliant move with some great work from Anderson and Dowling before he slotted under Shaughnessy. Though the Blues battled bravely it was the Vikings who had the final say as Bourke broke forward from full back to take a pass from Foley and calmly roll the ball home to finally end the Blues’ chance. Minutes later Owens blew the final whistle.
The Vikings looked a well-rounded team on the night. The ever-reliable Mitchell Brother clones of Neal Cunningham and Tony ‘Tight Hand’ Purdie were rock solid throughout ably assisted by the classy Paddy Bourke beside them. New draftee Tom Dayon continued his very good winter season form with a fine display at half back. Connelly (MVP, God knows how), Chamberland and Corbett all had impressive individual displays while Bibeau was a revelation in the forwards with big contributions from newcomers Jacob and Clement.
The Blues were the team everyone came to see however, and they didn’t disappoint. After a fine first half display that just wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard they really came into their own to win the second half. There were impressive performances everywhere. Boudreau was immense at the back. Edwards looks a very talented player who could play anywhere on a Gaelic field. Matty Payne tried to kill a few guys early on but after that was rock solid. And old heads Baneham, Robinson, Dowling and McAulliffe will all be pivotal figures as the season goes on.
Final score: 4-13 to 3-6