Recap

Match Report by: Michael Brophy.

Verdun Vikings 7-10 Griffintown Gaels 5-10

The Verdun Vikings made it two wins from two in the Men’s Super League on a balmy Friday
evening at Trenholme Park in NDG. The men in maroon overturned a three point half-time deficit to take
the spoils in a very competitive contest.
The Gaels were the side who got off to a flier however through a goal from Michael Brophy, finishing off
from close range after good work by the always dangerous John McEvoy. Brophy followed up with
another point shortly after to push the Gaels into an early four point lead. The Vikings quickly responded
through a score from Damo Conneelly, the Clifden man hopping around like a spring lamb after
overseeing a rigorous fitness test imposed on his teammates just 24 hours previously.
The Gaels were humming nicely in the early stages with Dave Glynn leading around the field and
Mickael Herbelin notching two nice points in a typically energetic display. Despite this, the Vikings
enjoyed a purple patch in the middle of the half as Ronan Corbett and Paddy Bourke began to drive
forward from the back. Just as it looked like the Vikings had wrestled control of the game, a long hoof
from the sideline from Brophy dipped just under Olivier Sakr’s crossbar for another Gaels goal. And so it
was that Griffintown entered the break with a three point advantage.
The Vikings quickly set about erasing that lead at the beginning of the second half, and goals were to
destroy the Gaels chances as they struggled to deal with the runs coming from deep. The always
impressive Pat Bibeau notched a second half hat-trick, while Paddy Bourke became as menacing as a
Limerick man in Chicken Hut as the second half wore on, eventually picking off 1-2.
Neil O’Brien made his characteristic escape from between the posts with around 15 minutes left, looking
like a cow let out on fresh grass for the first time of the year. The Sligo man picked off 1-1 as the Gaels
made a valiant attempt to get back on level terms. Three points was as close as it would get however, as
the Vikings closed out the game professionally. It leaves the Gaels in a perilous position at the bottom of
the table ahead of a crucial game against the confident Montreal City Blues next time out. The Vikings
are in a much more comfortable position as the only unbeaten side in the league after the opening two
rounds.
Vikings: Olivier Sakr, Tony Purdie, Ronan Corbett (2-2), Paddy Bourke (1-2), Pat Bibeau MVP (3-1),
Damien Conneely (0-4), Jake Ouellette, Thomas Dayon, Brian Fitzy (1-1), Brian McLaughlin
Gaels: Neil O’Brien (1-1), Kevin Barranco, Michael Johnson, Vincent Power (0-1), Aidan Gallagher,
David Glynn (1-1), Michael Brophy (2-2), Mickael Herbelin (0-2), John McEvoy MVP (1-3), Ivan
Fonseca