Green Briar FC win the Banshee Celtic Invitational Cup

Green Briar FC 1:0 Paddy Barry's
G Cassidy (pen)

The final of the inaugural Banshee Celtic Invitational Cup was held at Rotch Playground in Boston on a very steamy Saturday afternoon contested between Green Briar FC and Quincy side Paddy Barry's FC.

The tone of the game was set with a beautifully timed challenge by Ray Moran as he slid in hard but fair to win a nice ball in the middle of the park. The game continued is such fashion with good quality physical soccer.

The early going belonged to the Green Briar with good exchanges down the left between Requils Morton and Kieran Caldwell, but the final product eluded the Greens.

Collecting the trophy at the Banshee

Paddy Barry's replied with a break away down the left resulting in Fernando DelPieri getting carded for a late challenge. Later the Briar was in trouble again, a beautiful cross from the left was met on the volley but the effort went over from 6 yards.

The best chance of the half fell to Requils Morton. Braima Samati won the ball on the left edge of the area. His stinging shot was parried into the path of Morton but he blazed over agonizingly. He would later follow up with an acrobatic volley from a great cross from Brendan Mitchell.

Brian Claus got into the action early in the second half. A crossing ball from Braima Samati found Claus free at the back post but in a 1 on 1 with the defender he came out second best.

Kieran Caldwell was also finding joy down the left wing. Kieran was unlucky not to set up a goal with a driven cross, only to see it cleared well. Following that he found space for a low shot from the edge of the area which tested the keeper low to his left. He was also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after he got his marker to make a lunging challenge in the area. The referee waved it off however.

John O'Brien made a very effective cameo appearance later in the half. His high energy play would only last 10 to 15 minutes in the searing heat, but he definitely made an impact. He turned a driven free kick from Gary Cassidy goal-wards only to see clawed to safety and followed that up with a good run and shot which also tested the keeper.

Bringing the trophy back to the Green Briar

As the half progressed and the fatigue was setting in to the Paddy Barry players the pressure built on their goal. Ray Moran shot wide from distance and Requils Morton dragged a shot wide from a close angle.

Paddy Barry's replied with a terrific shot which crashed off the inside of DelPieri's right hand post. And from the ensuing corner a shot would need to be cleared off the line from the defender on the post. With time running out that was definitely a bullet dodged by the Greens after all their dominance.

The deadlock was finally broken on 88 minutes. Kieran Caldwell once again deceived his marker in the box and as he ran by his man was blatantly pulled back and to the ground for the spot kick.

Gary Cassidy demanded the ball and made no mistake with the penalty, dispatching the ball with power to the keeper's left.

As Paddy's pushed for the equalizer they left huge gaps at the back and were lucky not to concede a second when the tired Briar attackers spurned a 4 on 1 breakaway.

One goal was enough in the end as Green Briar FC added to the trophy cabinet for their 1st season by taking the Banshee Celtic Invitational Cup.

Line Up: DelPieri(YC), Mitchell, Lally, Doonan, Clarke, Cassidy(YC), McGuinness, Moran, K Caldwell, Samati, Morton
Subs: Fallon, Lumanyika, Beausang, Joyce, Claus, McLoughlin, Kearns, McCarney, O'Brien

Green Briar overcome Banshee Celtic to make final

Green Briar FC 2:0 Banshee Celtic
P Miller (2)

The opening game of the Banshee Celtic Invitational Cup got under way at Charlestown High School on Wednesday evening, with the other semi scheduled for later that night in Malden.

The opening 20 minutes of the game was a delight to watch. The Briar players maintained possession very well and were patient in their build up play. The opening goal game from this dominant spell.

Kieran Caldwell drove a corner low across the six yard box. Celtic's defense was caught unawares and the pace of the ball carried it to the back post untouched. Peter Miller, who had journeyed up from the back, controlled nicely and shot the ball home with authority.

As Celtic gathered themselves the tie began to neutralise and both teams enjoyed good spells of possesion. Chances continued to be created and Braima Samati was unlucky not to convert from a clean breakaway he fashioned for himself with a run from half way.

Celtic threatened themselves with Brendan Mitchell making a last ditch tackle on one occasion and a Celtic striker shooting wide on another.

Before the half Tony Beausang shot wide from the corner of the box after he ventured forward from his left back position. Jason Kearns played a square ball to Eamonn McCarney who lacked the venom in his shot to cause any trouble. Finally, Braima Samati was clear again only to drag his shot wide right.

The second half was evenly contested, although the Celtic side were finding it hard to create anything meaningful. At the other end Samati again fired over, this time with his head after a pin point cross from Mitchell.

The lead was doubled following the break down from a Green Briar corner. The ball broke to Dave Coen on the edge of the box and he lifted a nicely weighted ball over the advancing defense. The ball fell to Peter Miller, again up from the back, and he met it on the half volley to slip it under the keeper for the 2-0 lead.

The game was closed out by maintaining possession well and controlling the speed of play. This was helped greatly by a superb midfield performance by Emmett Doonan who seldom put a foot wrong. Peter and Tom Miller were solid at the back and Fernando DelPieri helped secure the first clean sheet of the season.

Line Up: DelPieri, Mitchell, T Miller, P Miller, Clarke, K Caldwell, Coen, Doonan(YC), Moran, Samati, O'Connor
Subs: Fallon, Beausang, Hannick, Hennessy, Lally, Claus, McCarney, Kearns, Kelly, Faherty, T Caldwell

The Banshee Invitational Cup

Semi Final 1
Green Briar FC 2:0 Banshee Celtic
6PM Wed 27th July 2011
Charlestown HS, Charlestown MA

Semi Final 2
Kendall Wanderers 2:4 Paddy Barry's
6PM Wed 27th July 2011
Pine Banks Park, Malden MA

3rd Place Play-off
Kendall Wanderers 1:0 Banshee Celtic
12PM Sat 30th July 2011
Rotch Playground, Boston MA

Final
Green Briar FC 1:0 Paddy Barry's
2PM Sat 30th July 2011
Rotch Playground, Boston MA

Briar Cup goes to the youngsters

Green Briar U30's 5:1 Green Briar O30's
K Caldwell                                  Leo O'Connor (pen)
T Caldwell
M Graham (O.G.)
G Cassidy
G Clarke

The Briar Cup tradition that began in 2010 with a contest between Briar Bhoys FC and Kinvara FC was continued in 2011 by the two teams that were the product of the clubs merging at the begining of the year. So it was a slightly different flavour to the competition, but nonetheless a chance for the veterans to play the new blood for bragging rights.

O'Connell Park in Watertown was the venue secured by an absentee Paul Glynn and with temperatures soaring into the 90's it was to be a challenge for players and supporters alike to stay hydrated.

Under 30 Side

The tempo of the game was good for all of 10 minutes after which time the heat took its toll and the game devolved into a somewhat slower pace where plenty of time was afforded players to pick out nice passes. Unless that is you are Eamonn McCarney, who would dribble to the end of the earth, or shoot from 40 yards out rather than give up possession of his precious!

The opening half was evenly contested although the finishing could have been better from both sides. For the U30's Kieran and Tom Caldwell each scored a goal either side of a penalty miss from Gary Cassidy. Although Paul Fallon came up with the save diving to his right, Gary would be the 1st one to tell you that penalties are missed, not saved.

Over 30 Side

In reply the O30's came close when Michael Graham beat a man down the left and squared to an unmarked John Hickey. John's shot on the half volley went wide right, although he may have had time to settle himself before shooting.

Leo O'Connor did get the O30's back in the tie with a penalty kick that he converted at the second attempt. His 1st effort was saved but waved off due to encroachment.

A throw back to the good old days of underage football was enjoyed by the players at half time, as orange slices were used for refreshment as the sun continued to beat down.

Gary Cassidy supplies the entertainment

The O30's opened the second half by conceding a very poor own goal. Gary Clarke raced down the left wing and sent in a low driven ball across the 6 yard box. Michael Graham slashed at the ball wildly with his left leg when a right legged clearance would have been preferred. The result was a quite sweet finish into the top corner as Paul Fallon was left rooted to the spot. As Graham saw the ball hit the net he couldn't help hearing the song "Shots, Shots, shots-shots-shots-shots everyboooody!" in his ears.

Don't ever miss a peno, get a red card or score an O.G.

The O30's continued to battle their way back into the tie but fitness levels being what they are it was hard for the team to maintain any resemblance of shape or quality possession as the gaps began to be exploited.

The Victors

Gary Cassidy and Gary Clarke added to the scoring with nice finishes as the tie became one sided, on the score sheet at least. The O30's did manufacture plenty of chances themselves in the second half as David Coen hit the bar from a header, John Hickey made a tired attempt at meeting a good cross from Jason Kearns and Eamonn McCarney continued his 1 man show.

Leo O'Connor and Kevin Higgins

The U30's ran out comfortable winners but the game itself was more competitive than the scoreline suggests. Other players to impress on the day were Kevin Higgins and Daniel Kilber-Stearns, both of whom were supremely commanding in their play making roles.

New comers Brendan Mitchell and Jason Kearns did their causes no harm either with good performances as the Emigrant Cup is fast approaching this week.

Celebrations at the Briar

Green Briar FC Raffle Results 2011

Thank you to all the friends of the club who supported the fundraising efforts and the players who helped sell the tickets. Special thanks to Leo O'Connor, John Hickey, Conor Bagnell and Danny Concagh for the outstanding effort in selling tickets. For those players who chose not to help, they will be charged a 2nd half membership fee.

1st Prize: $500 Joe Dolan (Nolan) (Singer Extraordinaire)
2nd Prize: $300 Paul Fallon
3rd Prize: $200 Thomas Miller
4th Prize: $40 Gift Card David Coen

Briar Cup and Club Raffle Saturday 23rd July

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs Green Briar FC ( 2PM Kick-Off  )
O'Connell Park (Grass)
341 Mt. Auburn Street
Watertown MA 02472 (Map)

The above fixture will be a contest for the coveted Green Briar Cup and bragging rights for the year. The game coincides with the Club Raffle which every member of the club is requested to support by buying or selling tickets. After the game, or after you have gone home and changed, you are invited to the Green Briar Pub for drinks, food, fun around 6PM at the pub in the Kinvara Room or on the Patio. The drawing of the raffle winners should be around 9PM.

Training

Training is back this week, 6PM Wednesday 6th July.

Burr Playground (Map)
Waverley Ave
Newton MA 02458