Match report from Setanta v Wild Geese, June 25th 2005 The first competetive game of the season took place at the Irish Fair in Irvine California. This was game one of a two game series to decide which team would host the Southern California Final.The team with the highest score after two games will host the final. With a decent sized field and surface it was better than what we were expecting. It was a warm day and we took refuge in the shade of the trees on the sideline. Starting with only 4 of the team that had started the National Title game in Sept 2004, it was a real learning experience and a chance for the squad to show its strength. Preparations weren't helped as Bitser got lost somehow getting to the field.That wouldn't normally be an issue but Bitser had the uniforms. The game got started and the Wild Geese tore into the game way better than Setanta. The Geese looked like a team that really intended to win. They contested better and took some really well taken points. The Setanta midfield of Anthony Sheridan and Vinny McCarthy was getting dominated by the much bigger and taller Geese midfield. Ultan Breslin deputising in goals for the soon to be married Adrian Callaghan, got caught out by two point efforts that dropped short and into the back of the net. This left Setanta floudering.At the same time, Setantas forward line couldnt score to save their lives.Conor Smith hit the upright from a shot out on the left and Jason Giles and Vinny McCarthy had stray shots also. Coach Tony O'Boyle made a few tactical adjustments with Liam Roberts coming on for Bryan Ly, Steven Glynn for Jason Jolly. He also moved Jayo Giles to # 11 and put David Mooney to midfield and Anthony Sheridan back to the Center Half Back slot. With 5 mins to go in the half Jason Giles won Setanta a penalty. Conor Smith volunteered to take it, but uncharateristically scuffed it badly left and wide.A good chance for Setanta to get back into the game was lost. Half time came and a very glum San Diego team walked behind a hopping mad Tony O'Boyle. Half Time: Setanta 0-05 Wild Geese 2-09 Being ten points down at half time is not a situation we have been very used to and certainly not one we ever want to get into again. Tony had words, pointed out a few truths including telling us that it was the worst performance he has ever seen Setanta play. But he finished positively telling us that games are never over at half time. The same thirteen that finished the first half, started the second.Boy was it a different effort. Anthony Sheridan at midfield was starting to dominate with Jason and Vinny picking up the breaks. Captain for the day Ray McCormack made some marauding runs up the field. Vinny MCarthy got a nice point followed in quick succession by two frees from Conor Smith.The Geese were beginning to get tired, but Setanta was feeling that there still was a chance. Then out of the blue the Geese got another goal.This really was against the run of the play. Bit by bit Setanta got more points.Declan McCole, on as a sub scored a nice hooked point off his left foot.The two main turning points of the game happened in the penalty boxes. At Setantas end, Ultan Breslin made a brilliant save somehow turning a piledriver around the left hand post.Then at the other end Jason Giles weaved and turned in the box, laid it off to Conor Smith who buried the ball low and hard into the net for Setantas only goal of the game. It was all one way traffic at this stage, Eoin O'Neill got a point when maybe he should have gone for goal.A 40 yard free kick by Conor Smith finished off the scoring and amazingly, Setanta ended up two point winners. That the Geese only got 1 goal in the second half is a credit to the defence and thankfully the fowards found their shooting boots. A delighted Setanta went for a quick beer in the beer garden, then drove to Giblins of Carlsbad where Na Fianna were celebrating their win.Some good food and Guinness was had and we were all home for 10pm. Some ventured out for the night but most crashed after a long day in the sun. Theres everything to play for on July 9th when Setanta hosts The Geese at La Jolla High School. Final Score: Setanta San Diego GFC 1-17 v Orange County Wild Geese 3-09 Scorers: Conor Smith (Dublin) 1-8 Anthony Sheridan (Longford) 0-3 Vinny McCarthy (Waterford) 0-2 Liam Roberts (Wexford) 0-1 Declan McCole (Donegal) 0-1 Jason Giles(Kerry) 0-1 Eoin O'Neill(Kilkenny) 0-1 Setanta: Breslin, McCormack(Capt), Barnett, D Sheridan, Mooney, Jolly, A Sheridan, McCarthy, Ly, O'Neill, Smith, Giles, JOhnston Subs: Glynn for Jolly, Roberts for Ly, Caulfield for Johnston, McCole for Caulfield. White, McLaughlin, Doyle