This term’s School versus Staff football match was held at Whitchurch Playing Fields. It was a very enjoyable game, watched by the whole school. It was not thy best day for the spectators, but conditions were just right for football.

The game started with the Staff side forced on the defensive, but the School side’s attacks were in vain and any shots they had were brilliantly saved by the Old Boys 1st Xl goalkeeper Keith Bowker (borrowed. by the Staff for the game - luckily for them). However, the Staff gradually recovered and the game developed into a keen contest between skill and brawn (it is left to the reader to decide which side had what).

It was obvious the Staff were going all out to win. Mr. Crawford worked hard on the wing but his through passes were snapped up more quickly by the School defence than by his follow forwards. Mr. Shovelton literally ploughed his way about trying to put passes straight to the inside trio, Brother Colum, Mr. Tora, and Mr. Tufnell, who worked hard but just could not get through. This was due really to the fact that their wingers did not seem to be linking well. The School was also attacking well but the Staff was defending admirably.

Half-Time 0 - 0

The second half started with the Staff once again on the defensive. But this time they quickly recovered and straight away made attacks of their own. Their two wingers, Fr. Aloysius and Mr. Crawford were coming into the game very much more, combining well with the rest of the forwards; at times the School were lucky to get away with a corner. The Staff half-back line, Mr. Shovelton, Fr. Louis, and Mr. Richards was like a brick wall. If the School happened to get through there was always Mr. Martin and Mr. O’Conne1l, as backs, to contend with. Mr. Martin played well and Mr. O’Connell’s first time tackles and clearances were coming off every time.

Despite all this, about fifteen minutes from the end, during a school attack, Scott scored from a long shot; a goal which was very much disputed. However, Fr. Stephen, the referee, kept to his decision. Undeterred, the Staff kicked off again and kept trying more and more, all the time being cheered on by the boys, (why they did not support the School side is a mystery). But about five minutes from time, in a goal-mouth tussle, Scott again netted.

So the game ended in a 2 - 0 win for the School. It was a very keen game, enjoyed very much by both sides, and well refereed by Fr. Stephen. Looking back on the game, seeing it was such a close game and the sides so very well matched, a 1 - 0 win for the School, or even a draw, would have been a fair result. The School as a whole never realised that the masters teaching them could play so well!

Teams:-

     Staff Mr. Bowker, Mr. Martin, Mr. O’Connell, Mr. Shovelton, Fr. Louis, Mr. Richards, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Tora, Brother Colum, Mr. Tufnell, Fr. Aloysius.

     School Hannon, O’Shea, O’Sullivan, Kleiser, Cummins, Dargie, Kelly, Maguire, B. Clifford, Scott, A. Clifford.