Sheehy: “The time was right”

THE AJAX Football Club has farewelled coach Bernie Sheehy (pictured), who took charge of the side for the last time in its 20.14 (134) to 19.10 (124) loss to Beaumaris at Princes Park on the weekend.

In front of a huge crowd celebrating the club’s community day, the Jackas were unable to provide Sheehy with the perfect send-off.

“I thought the time was right,” Sheehy told The AJN.
“I’ve really enjoyed the four years. Two of them were pretty tough … but two good years probably balances the book.

“[The club] would be keen for me to stay and that’s understandable, but they have accepted the decision.”
After winning promotion to B-Grade at the end of the 2011 season, merely maintaining its spot in the competition would be viewed as a pass mark by some. But a typically candid Sheehy said the side’s record of seven wins and 11 losses was nothing to write home about.

“It was good that we stayed up, but it was a terribly weak B-Grade year down the bottom,” Sheehy said.
“But of course I‘m happy they stayed up and it will give them a good crack at it next year.”

David Fayman kicked eight goals in the game against Beaumaris to take his tally to 60 for the year, which makes him the club’s and the league’s top goal-scorer for the third consecutive season.

Marcus Jankie rounded out his great year with a solid performance, as did Warren Steinberg, Rubin Winograd and Adam Caplan.

Goal-sneak Nadav Harel and ruckman Jarrod White slotted truly to give the Jackas an early lead, before Beaumaris hit back with two of its own.

The Jackas midfield was all over their opponents and set up Fayman for another and Lew for his first to give the Jackas a nine-point lead at the first break.

But the visitors ramped up their pressure in the second term, kicking six goals to four to take a narrow advantage into half-time.
Both sides came out after the main break with great intensity, but neither could convert chances in front of goal.

Harel finally found the big sticks after a lull in the play and was quickly followed by Lew, who booted a beauty from distance.

But Beaumaris again found a way to claw its way back into the lead, and after the sides went goal for goal, the Jackas found themselves seven points down at the final break.

It was an outstanding last quarter from both teams, which put on 13 goals between them.

The AJAX players gave everything, but it was Beaumaris that came out on top in the end, despite the heroics from star forward Fayman who kicked three for the term.

The Reserves ended their season on a sour note, losing to Beaumaris 17.14 (116) to 7.5 (47). They also finished seventh on the ladder with four wins and 14 losses.

ASHLEY SHENKER

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