General
- Wednesday December 7th, 2011 @ 8:53
GORMLEY WINNER FINISHES SHELS' DREAMS
In a week that an old St Pats master, Liam Buckley, returned to the club as manager some of his contemporaries secured the PFAI LOI Legends Trophy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
Managed by Cyril Walsh the squad made up of John 'Trapper' Tracey, Eddie Gormley, Dermot O'Neill, Paul Hall, John Cleary, Mark Ennis, John Kelly, Colm Seville and Tony O'Connor defeated Shelbourne 1-0 in the final.
Speaking to STPATSFC.COM Cyril Walsh said that his side faced some pre tournament problems:
"We had a great team last Tuesday and we we're very hopeful of doing well, unfortunately the tournament was on Saturday!
"Nutsy blew up the floodlights at Motherwell and couldn't make it - Trapper fined him but he can afford that now.
"Curtis had the cheek to beat Man United during the week with Palace and had another match on Friday so couldn't make it and John Ryan pulled a hamstring playing five a side.
"Martin Reilly pulled out at 5 o'clock on Friday after getting a nixer in Cork and Johnny Mac left a message on the phone at 5 a.m. on Saturday saying he had 'flu'.
"Martin Russell had to attend a UCD U19 game and Oso was always doubtful after picking up an injury on Thursday.
"Despite that we still managed to put a decent side together."
The Saints drew their first game with Shels 2-2 before losing 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers despite dominating the game.
The next game of the group stages was a must win game and Bohs were dispensed of with a 2-1 victory.
The group stages were completed with a 3-1 victory over Sligo Rovers setting up a repeat of last years final with Shelbourne.
Walsh was hoping for a better outcome than last season:
"We were hoping to get one over on them after losing last year's final but we lost Toccy with a groin strain and that limited us for options"
"It was a tight game and was still nil nil with 30 second to go and we looked to be heading for penalties.
"Up stepped Gormley though to put the ball past Fred Davis for the winner."
