St Brigid’s got their Mooney Cup campaign off to an excellent start and quickly got revenge on St Enda’s for their previous league defeat.
Being supremely organised for this home match St B.’s turned up at Hightown! After some hurried phone calls (50 phone calls to be exactly correct) St B.`s quickly scurried up to the DUB where our opponents were patiently waiting. Giving some longwinded reasons for our new pretraining routine [a 20 mile car jaunt round Glengormley] and accepting St Enda’s apologies!!! the match eventually started one hour late. With a squad of 24 turning up and the rules stating each player has to play at least one period of 20 mins the coaches had to ensure every thing was well organised.
Sean Connolly sent out a well balanced team for the 1st period. Missing key players Tim McCrudden (Antrim U-16 match) Matthew Edgar (Dublin) Chris Mooney (Golf) and Ben Sinnott (Some foreign flu!!) The midfield took on a new look. Mick Malone and Chris Donnelly were given the task of holding midfield and man marking the two St Enda`s danger men. The fact that these two danger men only scored twice in the 60 mins is testament to the excellent job Malone and Donnelly did. First period saw both teams exchanging points. Scores from Mathew Kelly, Chris Donnelly and Stevie O’Brien were matched by the Hightown lads. At this stage St.Brigid’s were starting to exploit St Enda’s weakness on the left wing. Using O’Brien as the target man Stevie scored one goal and a point to leave St Brigid’s in control.
1st Period score: 1-4 St Brigid’s to St Enda’s 0-3
The Second period saw five changes but you would not have noticed with St Brigid’s continuing to dominate. Playing controlled,thoughtful football St Brigid’s star men in this period were Niall Murray, Luke McGread and Daniel McKeever. Stevie McAleer and David Brennan scores were followed by three excellent points from Daniel. Despite a goal and a point from St Enda’s they sensed the game was slipping away and indiscipline set in. One man sent off and lucky that two other boxers, sorry footballers, weren’t sent off. The match was effectively over.
2nd period score: 2-8 St Brigid’s to St Enda’s 1-4
Four new faces adorned the St Brigid’s side for the last 20 mins (and we’ll not make any comments on their beauty or lack of it) St Brigid’s continued to play high quality disciplined football. Conor Keenan in defence had a cracking game. St Enda’s put up some resistance with a goal and a point, but points from Stevie McAleer, Andy McLarnon put the game beyond doubt. Incidentally that was our new player Andy McLarnon’s first score for the club and from his play it will be the first of many. A Chris Donnelly goal was followed by a Mathew Kelly point. Playing out of position Conor McLoughlin got his Jim’ll Fix It Wish and played up front. Fitting therefore that he should score the last point.
Final score: St Brigid’s 3-12 to St Enda’s 2-5
A super win for the players. Despite missing four key players and playing a team that had beaten us one week before this was a great performance. Superb attacking performances from all squad players particularly Malone, Donnelly, Connolly, O’Brien, McAleer and Kelly. Defensively superb performances from Murray, McKeogh and Keenan, however they were pipped for the man of the match award by Luke McGread.
Team:
1st Period: D Quigg, R Kervick, R Ward, P Nolan, C Owens, T McKeogh, C Mackle, M Malone, C Donnelly, S McAleer, D Brennan, S O’Brien, R Mackle, D Connolly, M Kelly.
2nd Period players introduced: N Murray, D McKeever, L McGread, C McLoughlin, C Fitzpatrick.
3rd Period players introduced: C Keenan, C Connolly, A McLarnon, S Murton.
Scorers: M Kelly 0-2, C Donnelly 1-1, S McAleer 1-2, S O’Brien 1-1, D Brennan 0-1, D McKeever 0-3, A McLarno
