GDSFC Division 2 Matchday 3
Glasgow Irish FC faced Fernhill at Ralston yesterday evening looking to build on an impressive victory the previous week on league duty.
Yet again the Irish seen the squad change through injury and unavailability for various reasons meaning that the same starting 11 still hasn’t been selected in consecutive games for GIFC the entire season so far.
Fernhill came out of the traps at speed and started to put serious pressure on the Irish defence and Owen O’Donnell had 2 outstanding saves inside the first 10 mins to keep the scores level.
Irish couldn’t get out of their own half and Fernhill took the lead when Paterson was punished after a poor attempt at a clearance allowed Fernhill to steal in and score. 0-1
This seemed to sting The Irish into action and Tony Deveney seen his effort saved after a decent run and shot.
Fernhill were always dangerous on the break but Cameron McIntyre was equal to everything alongside Shaun McCafferty at the back.
McIntyre time and time again winning balls when the odds looked stacked against him then turning defence into attack with a series of superb through balls from deep positions.
Ciaran English and Chris Hopkins in the full back positions were also stand out performers as the first half drew to a close.
HT:0-1
There was to be no panic from GIFC at half time as the progress was clear to see the more the first half had gone on.
Grant Clark replaced Mark Paterson at half time and lasted all of 5 mins before he suffered ankle ligament damage in a 50/50 challenge.
Ciaran Murray replaced Clark and bizarrely suffered the same fate 6-7 mins after entering the game.
Aidan McCahill then came on for GIFC and settled well straight away on the right side of midfield.
The Irish were in control now and levelled the game when Cameron McIntyre sent over an inviting cross which seen Kevin Barr time his run to perfection before controlling the ball and firing a volley past the Fernhill keeper.
A well deserved goal for both Barr and GIFC. 1-1
GIFC were now in the ascendancy and took the lead 5 mins later when Aidan McCahill sent Irish frontman Tony Garth through on goal and from a tight angle the striker cracked the ball into the roof of the net to send the Irish ahead.
Another goal of real quality from the GIFC striker. 2-1
GIFC had expended some real effort yet again and Hopkins was replaced by McCann as yet another injury took its toll on an already strained squad.
Fernhill capitalised as GIFC legs grew weary and equalised when they were let through on goal far too easily. 2-2
The Irish were more than worthy of a point at least but failed to hold out to the final whistle and when Fernhill found a second wind GIFC were left wanting.
O’Donnell spilled the ball at the feet of a Fernhill forward following a free kick into the GIFC penalty area to give Fernhill the lead again and ultimately the three points. 2-3
A gutting end to the game for The Irish but a performance these players can be immensely proud of.
The game itself was a credit to both teams and a superb advert for the GDSFC league for anyone watching.
Impresive on the day for GIFC were Shaun McCafferty, Owen O’Donnell, Ciaran English, Kevin Barr and Tony Deveney.
Acacia Coaches Man of The Match was Cameron McIntyre who put in a level of performance that hasn’t been matched in the short history of GIFC so far.
GIFC: Owen O’Donnell, Chris Hopkins (Jay McCann), Shaun McCafferty, Cameron McIntyre, Ciaran English, Tony Deveney, Jack Gordon, Kevin Barr, Daniel Singh(c), Mark Paterson (Grant Carr) (Ciaran Murray) (Aidan McCahill)
A huge thank you to our sponsors Malones Glasgow for the continued hospitality and support.
Mon The Irish 🇮🇪
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