To some of us, this match was the defining moment of our time in secondary school.
Around to the back of Old Bawn Community School. Shamrock Rovers were not in town yet so there were three pitches to choose from.
Each year, without fail, the pitch nearest the bridge was chosen. It was the one with the least bumps, the least likely to flood. There was a grassy bank up the wing, leading to the path. An apt amphitheatre.
I attended my first teacher versus students game as a first year. As far down the food chain as whatever plankton snacks on, I sat with my friends down at the corner flag. At least it was on the same side as the sixth years, who rolled smokes, played guitar and signed each other’s shirts. Some sipped on surreptitious cans. A few drank openly.
School was coming to an end. Nobody cared. We were there for the football.
That day, the teachers won out, 4-2.
Not a sixth year group to be remembered. They were blessed with too few footballing talents and fewer still that gave an actual shit. I blamed Nirvana.
Five years on and we got our chance. A 2-1 victory. We missed a shed-ful of chances. They scored from a Rory Delap-style throw-in. It was a grim affair that was, no doubt, a precursor for the Giovanni Trapattoni era.
Certain teachers, and characters, stood out. I’m sure your school had a similar brand of misfits.
The GAA-playing teacher that shoulder barged all game
Enough of this fancy Dan stuff:
The Science teacher that once had a trial with Leeds/Wolves/Grimsby
You heard the story about 768 times. He almost made it as a pro footballer. These tales were often told on grey Monday mornings as both you and he faced into a double period.
The pissed off Maths teacher that was out to butcher someone
He has been listening to your crap all year, and trying to teach you about Pythagoras. Time to let off some steam.
The jocular Geography teacher who hadn’t exercised since last year’s match
You never lose your touch…
The P.E teacher than finally had to put up or shut up
Everyone’s watching. No pressure.
The soft-spoken History teacher that turned out to be handy enough
‘I’ll just show him the outside. No worries.’
*** Got a special memory from a teachers versus pupils match? Send your story to editorial@sportsjoe.ie and we’ll publish the best***
