The Half Pacers made a glorious return to action this week following a two week lay off. Storm force winds and driving rain, or “Tuesday” as they call it in Feystown, made some men retreat back to retirement for a while, but out they came to draw battle lines once more and Soda even washed the bibs!!
Reduced numbers of 11 meant more running which is never ideal, but the scoring was opened by the bibs after a neat finish by Vic McCann to the corner of Connor Donnelly’s net. Cormac Scullion slotted home an equaliser soon after and we had a match on our hands! Ian Hynds, strengthening his position as the most reliable Down man on the panel, was making himself available for short puckouts and was finding the bibs forward line of Chris and Vic McCann with some half decent passing. Martin Scullion and Paul O’Hagan were defending stoutly though and were in no mood to concede….until Vic scored about 3 in a row.
At the other end, Barry McCann, Willie Hughes and Cormac Scullion were combining well and putting so much pressure on Bean in nets that he’s been posting photos all week showing a spectacular bruise and a rather fetching pair of boxers. Nobody needs to see that…..New rule next week – No roasters!! Aidan Reid was working hard at corner back for the bibs but after Martin from Rathkenny popped up with a couple of goals and half time was called, it was decided (by the bibs mainly) that the team’s weren’t fair and Martin’s transfer was completed. To be fair, he’s had more clubs than Tiger Woods in his time, so jumping ship came as no surprise to his long suffering non bibs team mates.
The second half got underway and the 2 week break was starting to take its toll on some already questionable fitness levels. Goals at either end for Vic McCann and Cormac Scullion kept the scoreboard ticking over, but the pace was slowing now and Martin Scullion sensed a chance to show off with a few one handed lifts and cross-field passes that ultimately came to nothing. Suddenly the lights flickered and it looked like time (and red diesel) was running out. The non bibs launched a final attack in search of a winner as Willie Hughes collected the puck out from Soda. A quick look up saw Cormac available and the pass was played. The net lifted, the crowd went wild and the lights went out! No time for a bibs counter attack and a season ending winner for the non bibs!!
A shorter second half than usual, but victory for the non bibs and agony for the runners up! There are rumours of an afternoon match over the Christmas holidays with spectators welcome, so keep an eye on social media over the next week or so if it’s going ahead.
Happy Christmas to all and we’ll be back in the new year! Thanks for following!! 
Half Pacers abú
