Joe Brolly becomes honorary Dub for charity fun match
Dublin Whites 3-2
Dublin Blues 2-1
THERE was a carnival atmosphere in Parnell Park as a large crowd gathered for the annual GOAL Challenge charity game, where Jim Gavin’s All-Ireland champions contested this light-hearted A v B clash.
Due to the various injuries sustained in last Sunday’s final, there were a number of guest appearances on the night, including Blues selector Mick Deegan and county board chairman John Costello, who was joined on the Dublin Whites side by his son Cormac, as well as controversial ‘Sunday Game’ pundit Joe Brolly, whose ‘Opt For Life‘ charity organised the event in association with GOAL.
Midfielder Denis Bastick played in the unusual position of goalkeeper for the Whites – he had struggled with a shoulder injury in the Sam Maguire decider, but was able to enjoy the festivities at the Donnycarney venue nevertheless.
“Yeah, I was carrying a bit of a knock alright. I got a scan today, so just wait and see what happens with that. A lot of fellas, when you get to that time of year, have niggles. Fellas playing through the pain barrier,” Bastick said.
“That was a good bit of craic. It’s nice to be able to play a bit of football and not to be too worried about it.”
As for the match itself, it was a fairly scattered affair that was split into two brief halves of play. Among the highlights was a goal for the Whites by teen prodigy Jack McCaffrey, as well as a cheeky back-heeled point by the Blues’ Diarmuid Connolly.
DUBLIN WHITES – D Bastick; D Daly, K O’Brien, J Brogan; S Supple, K Nolan, N Devereux; J McCaffrey, E O’Conghaile; C Reddin, A Brogan, P Flynn; C Costello, C Kilkenny, J Brolly, J Costello.
DUBLIN BLUES – S Cluxton; D Byrne, P McMahon, M Fitzsimons; J McCarthy, G Brennan, M Deegan; D O’Mahony, S Carthy; J Whelan, P Andrews, D Connolly; D Nelson, D Rock, K McManamon.
Daire Walsh