Connolly Cup Update:
Raleigh footballers were unbeaten in the Connolly Cup which was played in
Charlotte last Saturday.
In a tougher than expected 1st game, Raleigh defeated Charlotte’s B team by a scoreline of 1-10 to 2-3. The goal game from Jack ‘poacher’ Foley.
The 2nd game was an even tougher affair, as a fresh Baltimore team got off to a dream start of going 1-1 to no score in front. However, Raleigh bounced back with to win the game 4-8 to 4-3. Goals from Sven Johnson (2), Jack Foley (1) and Mark O’Hagan (from a rather speculative effort) were decisive. Baltimore were at times over ‘zealous’ with their tackling but thankfully no serious injuries were picked up. This was mainly thanks to Raleigh’s protector in chief Pete Capozziello, who did pick up a black eye for his troubles as he defended his fellow players. Raleigh were due to play Charlotte A in the final of the event, but nature intervened as a storm blew through the area. The final was then cancelled and will be played at a later date.
Stand out players from the tournament included: Nelson Santos in goal (who looked like a veteran though it was his first time in the position), Joe Nett and Dermot McElhennon in the full back line, Steve Shannon, Mark O’Hagan, Colin Keenan, Sean Kennedy, Stephan Byrne, Pete Capozziello, Mark Mitchell, Aidan McGuckin, JP Griffin, Jacob, Jack Foley, Sven Johnson and Mike Duffy.
Eddie Foley once again managed the team superbly and also did his bit of defending his players from harm’s way!
Graham Fordham, Robbie Huggins and blast from the past Dave O’Sullivan were part of the Raleigh GAA backroom team on the day. Even the bold Tim Cronin togged out for Raleigh in the final that never happened.
