“I have to say,” Reddy said Tuesday, on the eve of the national Challenge Cup championship, which opens today in metro St. John’s, “the feeling of playing soccer in the fall is a good feeling.”
The 2016 Challenge Cup campaign was Reddy’s 20th, after breaking into the senior ranks as a 15-year-old. And while he may have conceded a step or two and perhaps slowed down a bit, Reddy can still play, as witnessed by his season-ending league all-star selection.
But despite his longevity, this is only Reddy’s second Challenge Cup national championship (he competed nationally in age-group play and Canada Games) after Mount Pearl won its sole provincial title in 2003.
“This is what you play for,” Reddy said. “This is what I do. The reason I gave up senior hockey was to train and prepare for the soccer season.
“I love the competition, I love the dressing room and the team camaraderie. But mainly why I keep playing is a chance to win.”
Reddy is the son of former Holy Cross player and coach Gerry ‘Farmer’ Reddy, and it’s the father who often reminds the son that winning never gets old, and when you have a chance to win, grab hold of it.
“If my body lets me,” the younger Reddy said, “I’ll be playing until I’m 45.”
Mount Pearl enjoyed a surprising run in provincial Challenge Cup this season, finishing second behind Holy Cross in the regular season.
In the first game of the all-Newfoundland playoffs in St. Lawrence featuring both those clubs — with the winner moving directly into the final — Mount Pearl slipped past Holy Cross 3-2 on a goal in the 90th minute by former Crusader Scott Woodfine.
The host Laurentians — the other Newfoundland team entered in the nationals — beat Mount Pearl 2-1 in a provincial final that went to overtime.
Mount Pearl is entered in a group with St. Lawrence and Saskatchewan.
“I don’t know much about Saskatchewan, but I know the St. Lawrence game (7 o’clock Thursday night at King George V Park) will be intense,” Reddy said. “They’re still strong.
“But I like our chances. We’re just as good, we’re fit and we’ve got some experience. We’d love to get some revenge on St. Lawrence, and we’d love to beat them on the national stage.”
Related stories:
Big Blue looks to add some gold
Holy Cross brings youth and experince to national Jubilee Trophy championship
Rosters for NL teams in national senior tournaments
NL rosters in Canadian age-group tourneys
“I have to say,” Reddy said Tuesday, on the eve of the national Challenge Cup championship, which opens today in metro St. John’s, “the feeling of playing soccer in the fall is a good feeling.”
The 2016 Challenge Cup campaign was Reddy’s 20th, after breaking into the senior ranks as a 15-year-old. And while he may have conceded a step or two and perhaps slowed down a bit, Reddy can still play, as witnessed by his season-ending league all-star selection.
But despite his longevity, this is only Reddy’s second Challenge Cup national championship (he competed nationally in age-group play and Canada Games) after Mount Pearl won its sole provincial title in 2003.
“This is what you play for,” Reddy said. “This is what I do. The reason I gave up senior hockey was to train and prepare for the soccer season.
“I love the competition, I love the dressing room and the team camaraderie. But mainly why I keep playing is a chance to win.”
Reddy is the son of former Holy Cross player and coach Gerry ‘Farmer’ Reddy, and it’s the father who often reminds the son that winning never gets old, and when you have a chance to win, grab hold of it.
“If my body lets me,” the younger Reddy said, “I’ll be playing until I’m 45.”
Mount Pearl enjoyed a surprising run in provincial Challenge Cup this season, finishing second behind Holy Cross in the regular season.
In the first game of the all-Newfoundland playoffs in St. Lawrence featuring both those clubs — with the winner moving directly into the final — Mount Pearl slipped past Holy Cross 3-2 on a goal in the 90th minute by former Crusader Scott Woodfine.
The host Laurentians — the other Newfoundland team entered in the nationals — beat Mount Pearl 2-1 in a provincial final that went to overtime.
Mount Pearl is entered in a group with St. Lawrence and Saskatchewan.
“I don’t know much about Saskatchewan, but I know the St. Lawrence game (7 o’clock Thursday night at King George V Park) will be intense,” Reddy said. “They’re still strong.
“But I like our chances. We’re just as good, we’re fit and we’ve got some experience. We’d love to get some revenge on St. Lawrence, and we’d love to beat them on the national stage.”
Related stories:
Big Blue looks to add some gold
Holy Cross brings youth and experince to national Jubilee Trophy championship
Rosters for NL teams in national senior tournaments
NL rosters in Canadian age-group tourneys
