ISSC Vancouver 2-12
Fraser Valley Gaels 1-10
The Irish Sporting & Social Club (ISSC) Vancouver, managed by Roscommon native Tadhg Egan, made history in becoming the inaugural winners of the Vancouver Senior Football Championship with a five point win over near rivals Fraser Valley Gaels (FVG) on Sunday 19 August last.
The ISSC also lifted the Junior Football Championship earlier in the day to make it two from two championship wins.
The game started at an intense and fast pace, with the pick of the first half scores coming from Conor Finnerty and Eamon Quinn. Both players proved to be a thorn in the side of the Fraser Valley defence throughout the day's proceedings. Fraser Valley's Danny Loughrey was very clinic in front of goal; the Westmeath native kicked six points for FVG with five of them coming from placed balls. This ensured the minimum separated ISSC Vancouver and Fraser Valley Gaels at half-time, with FVG leading six points to five at the interval.
The second half started where the first half left off. ISSC's Eamon Quinn exchanged scores with FVG's Danny Loughrey. However, the pivotal moment of the game proved to come from the introduction of super-sub Sean Corrigan. The Fermanagh man contributed two goals and three points from play, his first goal started with some great build-up play from Shane Hennelly and Jack Quinn. The move finished with a shot from Corrigan to the bottom left corner of FVG's net. The victory was sealed for ISSC when Corrigan slotted home his second goal of the day after Corrigan took on FVG's defence and buried the ball to back of the net within ten minutes of his first goal. Corrigan would go on to further his tally by scoring three points from play prior to the full time whistle.
The closing plays of the game saw FVG apply sustained pressure to ISSC however ISSC held out to win by five points, namely through goalkeeper Niall O'Carroll, full backs Ciaran McGoldrick and Brian Fleming. Christy Grimes, Conor Doyle and Jack Quinn proved to be very influential in the outcome of the game with some great tackles and all round defensive play. Alan Dunne and Michael Sweeney dominated in mid-field and provided some excellent passes into ISSC's star forwards on the day, namely Conor Finnerty, Eamon Quinn & Sean Corrigan.
The ISSC Vancouver Captain, Trevor Farrell, raised the David Gavin Cup and dedicated the victory to the late David Gavin, who lined out for ISSC Vancouver last year before his untimely passing in the summer of 2017.
All roads lead to the USGAA finals in Philadelphia where ISSC Vancouver will take on the winners of the Philadelphia championship and Fraser Valley Gaels will play against the champions of San Francisco.
The panel on the day was:
Niall O'Carroll |
Blackhall Gaels |
Meath |
Brian Fleming |
Westport |
Mayo |
Ciaran McGoldrick |
Irvinestown |
Fermanagh |
Conor Doyle |
Clane |
Kildare |
Christy Grimes |
Maryland |
Westmeath |
Jack Quinn |
Naomh Padraig Lifford |
Donegal |
Alan Dunne |
St Brides |
Louth |
Michael Sweeney |
Glin |
Limerick |
Alan Kenny |
MooreField |
Kildare |
Conor Finnerty |
Ballintubber |
Mayo |
Danny Kindlon |
St Mochtas |
Louth |
Karl Martin |
St Kevins |
Louth |
Eamon Quinn |
Mullaghbawn |
Armagh |
Paul Nolan |
Duffry Rovers |
Wexford |
James Casey |
Charleville |
Cork |
Patrick Quaile |
St Patricks Donagh |
Fermanagh |
Anthony O'Brien |
Emyvale |
Monaghan |
Shane Hennelly |
Shrule/Glenn Corrib |
Mayo |
Trevor Farrell |
Maryland |
Westmeath |
Martin McGrath |
Pettigo |
Donegal |
Sean Corrigan |
Maguiresbridge |
Fermanagh |
Shane Leonard |
Monaleen |
Limerick |
Mick Kirwan |
Lucan Sarsfields |
Dublin |
Tadhg Egan |
Boyle |
Roscommon |
Oisin Doyle |
Aughrim |
Wicklow |
Cian Hennessey |
Loughmore |
Tipperary |
Darragh Murphy |
Bannow/Ballymitty |
Wexford |
Owen O'Driscoll |
Clonakilty |
Cork |
Colin Hoverty |
Shrule/Glencorrib |
Mayo |
Neil Smyth |
Mullaghbawn |
Armagh |
Martin Costello |
Ballyhaise |
Cavan |
Emmet Foe |
Parke Keelogues Crimlin |
Mayo |
Stephen O'Brien |
Emyvale |
Monaghan |
Oisin Daly |
Tulla |
Clare |
Brian Maguire |
Derrygonnelly Harps |
Fermanagh |
Richard Bradfield |
Ballinhassig |
Cork |
Hugh Fox |
Tubberclair |
Westmeath |
Stephen Ruane |
Monivea Abbey |
Galway |
Eoin Toomey |
Blarney |
Cork |
Tommy Bourke |
Tipperary |
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