GSSA 2025: Caledonians, Rovers share the spoils as fourth annual O'Neill Loveridge soccer match ends in draw

The annual O’Neill Loveridge match between Albany Caledonian and Albany Rovers ended in a goalless draw on Saturday night. It was the fourth edition of a game which honours two stalwarts, Caledonians’ Martyn Loveridge and Rovers’ Gary O’Neill, who have been the beating hearts of their respective clubs for decades. The contest itself was dominated by two well-organised defences but was memorable for Calies’ Nathan Kay, who was named man of the match. Kay spoke of how Loveridge had coached him for many years and encouraged his love for the game. “Marty” joined Caledonians aged 16 and became a fiercely determined player as well as a mentor to young talent, and a coach who led Calies to league and cup success. When a knee injury ended his playing days, he took up coaching both juniors and seniors, seeing his children, Kieran and Sian, turn out in Calies colours. His contribution with the club currently stands at 45 years. Rovers’ O’Neill also has more than four decades of involvement with his club, and he still turns out for the veterans team. Since he was a teenager, O’Neill has balanced playing with his committee duties and is affectionately known as Mr Rovers. Rovers’ social media paid tribute to him as “a living symbol of the club’s spirit and strength”. According to Rovers’ player coach Justin Bielecki, it was a match neither team wanted to lose. “It felt a bit like a cup final where no one wanted to stuff up,” Bielecki said. “For the players on both sides, especially those who have been with the clubs for a while, it felt like a really meaningful contest.” In the league context, it was ladder leaders Calies’ first dropped points of the season.