It’s a sweet Shield success as ’Booters beat Bridge United

Pat Maher Shield Final- Freebooters 3 Bridge United 1

The Maher Shield is staying on the Fair Green!

Freebooters made sure they retained their title, keeping the spoils in the city when they beat Bridge United 3-1 in Evergreen Park on Sunday. Not even the late switch of venue - heavy rains forced a move from League headquarters at Derdimus to the all-weather pitch on the Kells Road - could prevent the Blues from getting the better of their Goresbridge opponents, securing the spoils with two game clinching goals in the final 20 minutes.

Freebooters had much of the possession in the opening minutes, but Bridge proved difficult to break down. The deadlock was eventually broken in the ninth minute when a Freebooters corner found the feet of Jim Ryan. He delivered a clever ball to David Rice who slotted home from close range.

The heavy rain that fell in the opening minutes impacted Freebooters’ style of play. Diagonal aerial balls were being delivered regularly, leaving their Goresbridge counterparts on high alert.

Bridge United weren’t without threat, however, and player/manager Conor English got into some promising areas with clever play. Unfortunately for Bridge United, the crucial final part of the move proved elusive.

Both teams had great periods of possession but clear-cut chances were few and far between. When an opportunity did come Bridge’s way midway through the first half, they took it.

A foul outside the box gave United a chance in a promising area. They got a slice of luck when the free took a deflection inside the Freebooters box - Craig Wall popped up to get the all-important touch for the equaliser.

Peter Higgins’ side showed the attitude of defending champions with their response to that setback. Efforts from Andy Walsh, whose strike went narrowly over the crossbar, and a Jim Ryan shot on goal signalled ’Booters’ intent to regain the advantage.

Freebooters continued in the same vein at the beginning of the second half with Seanie Bolger leading the way. He ran riot down the wing, forcing Aidan Hynes into two fantastic saves before the hour mark.

The Blues were in the ascendancy now, and thought they had restored their lead when the net bulged just moments later. Rice looked to have bagged his second of the game when he met an Andy Walsh corner at the back post, but their joy was short lived as the goal was ruled out for offside.

Despite a positive ’Booters start to the half, Bridge United continued to battle. They regularly got into dangerous areas, but those killer chances failed to materialise.

Freebooters kicked on and eventually regained their lead with 20 minutes to go. A 70th minute wonder strike from Ger Hayes left the crowd and both sets of players in awe - a beautifully floated ball found Hayes’ right foot. His midair strike rocketed into the top left corner of Aidan Hynes’ net.

The match was sealed in the final 10 minutes as good ’Booters build-up play saw Harry Jordan win possession inside Bridge United’s box. His crisp pass found Seanie Bolger, who clipped a sweet ball into the corner of the Bridge United net to make it 3-1 in favour of the city side.

While the Shield is back in the Fair Green trophy cabinet, Freebooters’ season is far from over. They play Ferns United in the last 16 of the Leinster Junior Cup this weekend, and still harbour strong league and McCalmont Cup ambitions.

Despite this disappointment, Bridge United are still in the mix in the McCalmont Cup, with a last 32 tie away to Ormonde Villa in store next weekend.

Freebooters - Craig Cummins, Ger Hayes, Chris Phelan, David Rice, Joe Banville, Andy Walsh, Ben Ryan, Jamie Holden, Jack Cornally, Seanie Bolger, Jim Ryan. Subs: Jack Doyle, Ray Lawson. Ben Maher, Cian Franey, Craig Hayes, Henry O’Neill, Harry Jordan.

Bridge United - Aidan Hynes, Niall Lynam, Gary Lawlor, Mickey Brennan, Darragh O’Neill, Joe Keohane, Craig Wall, Conor English, Josh Barcoe, Louis Walsh, Eoin Kavanagh. Subs: CJ Delaney, James Barcoe, Josh Lynam, Darragh Simpson, Nathan West.