2003/4 - Papers Say
v WFTA: Gary Parkes stunning free kick proves to be the winner against WFTA
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V Edenmore: We leave it late with FAI Junior win v Edenmore, with a Gary Parkes brace
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In December 2004 we lost one of the finest player’s ever to play for St. John Bosco F.C. Brian played Schoolboy U/16 to U/18 for the club, went to Inchicore Athletic for a season and returned to join our First team in 2000 when we were in Premier C. It wasn’t long before the versatile “I’m a Right Full” talent shone through. Brian was emerging into a star and in 2001 Brian won his first Senior Honour with the club winning the Calor Gas Cup. In a typical display he made one and scored one in the 4.1 Semi Final on the way.
The following season we won Promotion to Premier B and he was a Right Full no more as he became the Inspirational Midfielder we knew he always would be. His infectious enthusiasm and energy were only equalled by an ability that belied his 21 years.
Premier B was just a stepping stone and we were promoted to Premier A, a league that deserved the skills and quality of the player that Brian was. We played in the Tommy Clements Cup in Pre Season and hammered Portmarnock 3.0 ! The team and Brian had arrived. The AUL Oscar Traynor Manager Dermot Wilkins was taking notice and Brian and Philip Madden had the honour of becoming the first player’s ever to be selected from the Club to play in that Competition. Brian played twice in the Oscar Traynor Team that season.
Brian’s last game was fittingly in Benmadigan Road on the hallowed turf. It was 1.1 Draw v Killester who went on to be champions. He was marking Eddie Hayes a player who was later capped at Junior level that season. It was a path we hoped and believed Brian would follow.
Little did we know that day that Brian’s biggest battle was just around the corner. It was a battle he fought with unwavering courage and determination. It was such a boost to have Brian down training at Pre Season in the Summer of 2004. Even on his worse days, he still made it to almost every match that season. His energy and passion a lesson to us all. Unfortunately it was a fight Brian would lose in December 2004. He will always be remembered with his cheeky smile by all his friends, team mates and those of us who were lucky to have managed such a fantastic footballer.
Brian was the most gifted footballer I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with but more than that he was a friend and an inspiration. For me “There is only One Beano”.
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Through the Years
