28/12/2023
The 2023 David McDonnell Memorial Cup
Valley Rangers 1-3 Cheers FC
Doyle '14. Fenton '29
O'Driscoll '61
Daly '82
The annual David McDonnell Memorial Cup was another great occassion for all involved this year.
The crap weather held off for the day but there was a crispness to the air. Overly-filled bellies and green faces were everywhere to see as the 11:30 was considered more a suggestion than mandatory.
A promising opening from the visitors was to no avail as the hosts slipped in through Dynamo Doyle to give Valley a 1-0 lead.
A goalmouth scramble straight out of 1970s League of Ireland nearly brought an equaliser for Cheers before the ball broke to captain Trevor Hynes at the edge of the box. His wayward effort bounced and ricocheted off the chiseled granite posterior of Shane Fenton before nestling in the Valley net. 1-1.
A few green faces enjoyed the halftime breather before big changes were made at half-time. The smell of yesterday's booze and leftover sandwiches stinging the nostrils.
The second half continued in good spirits as things got a bit...tasty, neither side letting the game's status as an exhibition quell the competitiveness.
Adrian O'Driscoll, a CBL Xabi Alonso on the day, struck a precision bullet from nigh on 114 yards to give Cheers the lead. That's one he won't forget!
The mercurial Charlie Daly fully utilised his cultured wand of a left leg to terrorise the Valley defence before firing a bullet into the bottom corner to extend the Cheers lead.
Valley threatened late on but were met with a stubborn JP Murphy who was having none of it, claiming a personal clean sheet on the day. A cool head that walks the line between coolness and panic inducing lethargy. Safe hands.
This was a great occassion for all involved and Cheers FC are proud to have been involved.
Most importantly almost €900 was raised for Marymount Hospice in David's name.
Thank you for asking us to take part.
Here's to next year!