Marist marks big GAA showdown with mock match

AS anticipation begins to mount ahead of the eagerly-awaited All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final between near neighbours Garrycastle and St Brigid's on February 18, a novel way of preparing for the showdown was held at Marist College, Athlone this week. Gaelic football coaches at the Athlone college decided to host a 'mock match' between the two teams, with current pupils of the Marist taking to the field for a friendly encounter. Both clubs were represented by current Marist students with affiliations to each respective club, and "an interesting and friendly" game was played out on college grounds, according to school principal, Tom Blaine, himself a St Brigid's club official. Speaking about the game, Mr Blaine said: "The reason we held the match was to mark the significance and unique nature of the upcoming meeting between Garrycastle and St Brigid's in the All-Ireland semi-final. The fact we have two neighbouring clubs, both current provincial champions, is somewhat unique and perhaps a bit unusual, so the 'real' game is going to be a fantastic occasion for the Midlands and its surrounding areas." First, second and third-year students played against each other in the first half of the school 'friendly', while fourth, fifth and sixth year students took to the field in the second half. Mr Blaine diplomatically said: "We don't have a final score, but St Brigid's won the first half, and Garrycastle the second." A total of 32 past pupils at the Marist College will be involved in the Garrycastle and St Brigid's panels on February 18. Mr Blaine added: "We have a huge amount of past pupils involved in the game, and likewise Athlone Community College just up the road from us. We felt this friendly fixture was a nice way to promote the game of Gaelic football within the school."