In 2011 two veteran Irish teams of the MSSL decided to make a change. A change, it was hoped, for the better. In January of that year, some of the prominent figures of both clubs (Kinvara FC and Briar Bhoys FC) had a meeting in Brighton. The proposal on the table was an amalgamation of two Irish clubs playing in Brighton. Out of which, a competitive Over 30's side and competitive elite MSSL side would be spawned. Players and Committee members cast their votes, and a new club was born, creating two teams that would compete for honors. The legacies of the KV and Bhoys FC would remain, but a new chapter of Irish soccer in Massachusetts would begin that January night at the Green Briar pub in Brighton.
With some mergers of talent, whether it be on a business or sporting level, often times there tends to be teething problems, a period of uncertainty. On this occasion, however, personalities seemed to gel right away and the club got down to business from the get-go. Promotions and success came quickly and often for the Over 30 side, as they climbed out of the lower divisions under the stewardship of Gary Keane. Yusuf Ribadu and Michael Graham had more modest successes coaching the Briar in Division 1 of the MSSL (the 5th tier of football in the US), as they tried to find the pieces of the jigsaw that would propel them up the table, and further along in the Cup.
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Pre-match formalities (Photo: L. Mattson)
The inaugural and sophomore seasons came and went and the Briar made steady improvements, establishing themselves well on the local soccer scene with a Banshee Invitational and Boston Irish Cup victory along the way. Entering the 2013 MSSL season the Green Briar was confident it would continue its year-on-year improvements. Key additions to the club included Kevin Dillon on the conditioning and coaching side of things. Talented international players such as Lassana Sanha (Guinea Bissau) and Benoit Royer (France) joined us on the field along with Irish stars such as Joseph Fitzpatrick and Brian O'Driscoll. These additions would strengthen the talent pool at the club as we pushed for our first MSSL honors.
The new blood would be complimented by a wealth of experience from the likes of Davey Coen, Brian McGuinness, Eamonn Kearney and Captain Tommy Caldwell, players that have been there and won things throughout their careers, Leinster Senior titles, All-Ireland titles, MSSL Cup titles to list a few from their many years of play. The ingredients were there, it was now time to make it happen on the pitch.
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Game action (Photo: L. Mattson)
The Briar's MSSL league form was patchy to say the least, starting well, but never recording more than a two game winning streak. In the latter part of the season a string of tough and close losses was not indicative of the product the Briar was putting on the pitch or the growth the team had shown throughout the season. Those league loses late in the season would prove very handy in galvanizing the players' focus on the Cup, a competition in which they were enjoying a terrific run.
GBFC MSSL 2013: W-W-L-L-W-L-L-L-W-W-W-W-W-L-L-L-L-L-W-W ( **Cup = _ )
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Benoit Royer verifies his medal is 24 carat gold (Photo: A Ustaoglu)
The Cup run of 2013 was remarkable. Receiving a bye in the opening round, the Briar traveled north to take on Lowell United. One of the stronger teams in the MSSL and a past league champion, coming out of there with a hard earned 1-0 victory opened up the possibilities in the draw. Lassana Sanha with the winner that day would set the dominoes falling in the right direction for the Briar, all the way to the season finale.
Stoughton Eagles were the opponents in the next round, a skillful side that had recently gained promotion from Division 2. On a late summer evening in Cambridge, the Briar romped to a comfortable 7-1 victory. Mike Hardy and Tommy Caldwell led the charge that day with a goal each and assists for a wide range of the squad. A notable miss from Peter Miller from a yard out from goal added some comic relief to proceedings, but the rangy center-half would still have a lot to say about the destination of the Cup in 2013.
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Lassana Sanha takes advantage of slack marking to make it 2:0 (Video: A Ustaoglu)
As the weeks passed and the league games went into the books, the Briar had one eye on the semi-final. Mass United lay in wait for the right to play Celtic FC in the final. A 4:2 loss to Mass United in the league in September at Manning Stadium was flattering to the hosts and the players knew they could put that right in the Cup. The semi final was played in a quagmire of rain and mud at Millennium park in early October. The conditions suited the Irish boys and although falling behind, a pair of set piece goals from Lassana Sanha and Peter Miller set the Briar on the road to the final. Miller's winner was greeted with rapturous celebrations on the side line, probably one of the most important goals he'll score in his career.
Preparations for the final were of the highest order. Kevin Dillon was making terrific strides with the squad. Instilling a work ethic at mid-week training sessions and a metal fortitude on the pitch on a Sunday, through warm-ups and drills ensuring players were sharp and switched on for 90 minutes each week. Michael Graham and Yusuf Ribadu were doing their homework as well, working to put the players in the best possible position to succeed. The focus and preparation on the day of the final brought out a confidence in the players that allowed them to go out and do what they knew they were capable of.
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Jubilant Celebrations (Photo: L. Mattson)
Celtic FC were a worthy opponent in the final, and had enjoyed a terrific season themselves. The Briar's performance was excellent, however. They weathered the set piece threats that Celtic threw at them and managed to take the lead in the 38th minute. They never looked back. Terrific performances were put in all around the park, all players worthy of the plaudits, but Keith McLoughlin and Keith O'Malley, who had already enjoyed terrific seasons, produced the goods when it mattered the most and deserve a special mention. Tommy Caldwell, the dynamo that sets the tone to everything the Briar does on the pitch would not be denied either, putting in a captain's performance on the night.
MSSL Cup Final 2013: Tommy Caldwell fixes his Captain's arm band (Photo: L Mattson)
The final result was a 3:0 victory that, for once, allowed the bench and management to enjoy the moment as the final whistle drew near. This win will be enjoyed, and I know I speak for the players when I say it is for every Green Briar FC club member and supporter to enjoy and be proud of. It is a terrific milestone and achievement, but the Briar want to kick on, improve, and challenge for the league title next year, and the years to come. How about the Briar......
2013 MSSL Cup Champions......don't mind if I do!
More pictures to follow.
Cup Winners on the night: Peter Dupuis, Keith O'Malley, Peter Miller, Janak Altidore, Benoit Royer, Tommy Caldwell, Keith McLoughlin, Brian O'Driscoll, Braima Samati, Brian McGuinness, Lassana Sanha, Ricky Oliveira, Maarten Grippling, Brian Claus, Joseph Fitzpartick, Leo O'Connor, Conor Hannick, Davey Coen, Yusuf Ribadu, Michael Graham, Kevin Dillon
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