Heartbroken San Jose Outclassed in City Final
San Francisco Intermediate Football Championship Final
Ulster 2-15 St Josephs 0-11

San Jose didn’t manage to get a championship victory at Kezar Stadium on Sunday but will now progress to the North American Finals in Chicago regardless.

This tough game failed to produce a score in the first few minutes until ulster were fouled in the goalmouth and awarded a free which was converted to a point. Playing into a stiff headwind San Jose couldn’t produce a reply until ten minutes later when Brian Kerney got the opening score for Josephs, but by this time Ulster already had three points under their belt.

San Jose were running their hearts out. They were making the maximum effort that anyone could have expected of them, but a few simple mistakes in passing was all it took to create opportunities for Ulster who were able to capitalize on them every time. Giving possession away to a team of this calibre is not recommended.

The tough physical nature of the game also had a bearing on the scoring. Fergal Finnan was charged into the ground by an oncoming Ulster half-forward who then tripped over him. Ulster were awarded a free which, uncharacteristically, was put wide. As half-time approached Ross McMahon was on his way into the forward lines when he was tripped. The resulting free produced a badly needed score for Josephs who had yet to take the lead in this game.

The half-time score was St Josephs 0-4 Ulster 0-10. Josephs knew that a six point gap going into a second half that would be played with a tailwind was not an insurmountable challenge, but a lot of effort was needed to make it happen.

The second half opened with signs of weakness in the Ulster forwards. Their opening shot went wide in the face of a very strong wind as did many subsequent attempts to score. After racking up more points Ulster dropped the bombshell. With most of San Jose up the field to deal with a sideline ball, it broke loose and Ulster cleared into the top half of the field where there was only one red and white jersey. This proved to be no obstacle for Ulster who raced towards the goal which was only guarded by keeper Eamonn Kerley. He came off his line to meet the attack, but the shot went past him and into the net. Ulster were now well on their way.

With the gap between the two teams getting ever wider San Jose needed goals and needed them badly. However the forwards and mid-fielders found it frustratingly difficult to get through the Ulster defense. They almost narrowed the gap with a goal but it was disallowed as a square ball. Josephs did not allow their desperate situation get to them. They maintained their composure and kept battling to the end. Colm Brazil in the mid-field was able to get plenty of points over the bar and Brian Kerney in the full forwards was also able to score when the chance presented itself. With the efforts of these players and the rest of the team San Jose didn’t grind to a halt by any means and with Ulster shooting a lot of balls wide it didn’t look impossible that Josephs could stage a comeback.

However as time went on the solid wall that was the Ulster defense began to take its toll. Ulster’s lead was getting larger and larger. In a perfect example of the difficulties faced by Josephs they were awarded a 45. It was driven in low by Colm Brazil in the hope of getting a goal, only to be deflected wide by the Ulster backs for another 45. On the second attempt it was driven low again and after some tantalizing commotion in the goalmouth it was deflected wide for yet another 45. On this third attempt the ball broke loose and was cleared by Ulster. This pattern of tight defending was a prominent feature of the game.

San Jose’s misery was brought to an end at the final whistle with the score at 2-15 to 0-11, and a proud and deserving Ulster team were presented with the championship cup. St Joseph’s can now put this setback behind them and concentrate on the North American Finals in Chicago which promise to be every bit as intense and and challenging as this city championship has been. If the team continue to show the commitment and dedication that brought them this far, San Jose’s days of winning are not over yet.