May Day Triumph – almost!
On Monday 5th May, the Naomh Brid P5 team narrowly missed out on a first ever success for the club in the St Gall’s annual May Day tournament. The squad battled hard over a long day to reach the final of the main Cup competition, only to suffer a heartbreaking 1 point defeat to a strong St John’s side.
In what turned out to be a great afternoon for football the P5’s travelled to Milltown full of expectation and hope. Drawn in the “group of death” with St Johns, Carryduff and Eire Og it was clear from the outset that Naomh Brid were going to have to perform to their very best to make it through the group stages to compete in the Cup competition.
The first group match saw Naomh Brid face Eire Og. While dominating possession, it was clear there was a certain amount of nerves on display and Naomh Brid found it hard to find a scoring touch. Eventually the domination of possession lead to a break through with a fine score from John Blaney following good work by Gregory Lynch. Naomh Brid ran out eventual winners by a score line of 1-4 to 0-2. The team were off and running, albeit to a slightly unsteady start with an initial victory.
The 2nd game in the group stages saw Naomh Brid take on the pre-tournament favourites St John’s. Indeed St John’s have built up somewhat of a reputation in this tournament, and in recent years they have consistently competed in the final of the Cup competition. Naomh Brid had taken heart from their initial victory and in a very close encounter had opened up a 1-1 to 0-0 lead by half-time. Naomh Brid had dominated the first 7 minute period and should have been much further in front given the possession they had. On the restart St John’s began to break the Naomh Brid strangle-hold around mid-field and reduced the margin with a point. St John’s continued to pressure and eventually with barely seconds remaining they struck the major score they had threatened to level the game. Immediately from the kick out St John’s secured possession and converted with a point to move into a 1 point lead. Despite the valiant efforts from the Naomh Brid boys, St John’s held out for a victory by the absolute minimum. However there was a sneaking suspicion that both teams would cross paths again before the day was out!
Given the defeat to St John’s, and the fact that Carryduff and St John’s had ended up all square in their encounter, Naomh Brid’s final group game against a strong Carryduff side became a “must win affair”. The boys in blue started strongly with two points from Ismeal Obicoyya and a goal from John Blaney to race into an early lead. However, Carryduff showed their resolve and forced their way back into the game with a goal of their own to narrow the margin. Naomh Brid then showed real character with two quick-fire points and a goal from James Smith who was put through brilliantly by Daniel Guinness. This flurry of scores gave Naomh Brid a dominant lead which they held to the end – to record a great win. A key factor in this win was the clever kickouts from Naomh Brid’s goalkeeper, Ethan Carleton, who continually picked out his midfielders in space to help lift the pressure of his defence.
The victory over Carryduff ensured Naomh Brid qualified from the group stages into the Cup competition with Carryduff unlucky not to progress into the Cup competition, but rather entering the Shield competition. Indeed Carryduff went on to win the shield competition and with Naomh Brid and St Johns eventually making it through to the final of the Cup – it really showed how strong this initial group was.
The Knock-out Stages
After a short rest, some food and rehydration the squad prepared for their quarter final game against Downpatrick, who had won their qualifying group. As the game commenced Naomh Brid resumed where they had left off in the group stages with a lightening start and within a few minutes were 2-2 to 0-0 up – the first of these goals being a blistering shot from distance by Peter Webb and the other a very composed finish to the corner of the net by Daniel Guinness after being put through one on one on goal. Naomh Brid continued to dominate the game and some fine scores and open team play saw them establish a commanding lead to run out eventual winners 4-5 to 0-1. A very strong midfield, marshalled by Peter Webb, Daniel Guinness and Christy Conlon led the bedrock for an excellent team performance. Time after time, the Naomh Brid midfield won the breaking ball and delivered intelligent play into their forwards.
The semi-final was set up for an intriguing contest with Naomh Brid pitted against the home side St Gall’s and St John’s progressing to meet St Pauls in an all Belfast affair. Naomh Brid took the field and immediately dominated possession and very quickly established a strong lead. Naomh Brid continued to dominate all aspects of the game, particularly in defence where Paul Stores, Andrew McDowell and Frank McCormack were completely on top with goal keeper Ethan Carleton delivering long accurate clearances. Time after time, the Naomh Brid defence broke up dangerous attacks and set up great team moves. John Duffy in midfield also made some great tackles, turning defence into attack. Naomh Brid continued to press home their advantage and finished the game convincing winners with John Blaney scoring two fine goals in the second half to round off some excellent team play.
And so a final spot was there for the Naomh Brid squad and at 3:45 against St John’s who had eased past St Paul’s. The predictions of a rematch from 11am in the morning when the sides had met in the group stage now rang true.
From the throw-in St John’s got off to a flyer with a goal and a point before Naomh Brid could muster an attack. For the first time all afternoon Naomh Brid had to chase the game and looked to establish some form of foothold in the game. And yet again the boys were not found wanting. Starting to gain dominance at midfield through Daniel Guinness and Peter Webb, Naomh Brid registered their first score with a well taken point by James Smith. St John’s replied with a point to re-establish the 4 point gap, but Naomh Brid raised their game again to strike with a three-pointer through a great strike from Peter Webb. The Naomh Brid defence was working tirelessly, with Paul Stores, Frank McCormack and Andrew McDowell closing down well the St John’s attacks and winning key possession. Naomh Brid now had a strangle-hold on the game, but couldn’t convert this on to the score board, with some very unlucky efforts from James Smith who hammered the wood work on two occasions.
The second half got under way with the teams exchanging points – but a great solo run and shot to goal by Daniel Guinness brought the sides all square. Naomh Brid again forced the pace, but once again the woodwork saved St John’s with a pile-driver from James Smith coming back off the cross-bar. Eventually St John’s began to secure some possession at midfield and was awarded a penalty with a couple of minutes to go. Despite a great save from Ethan Carleton from the spot kick, the St Johns’ forwards were first to react and the rebound was driven to the Naomh Brid net. St John’s were now in the ascendancy and added a further point to open a 4 point lead with only one minute remaining. But, true to their fighting spirit and resolve displayed all day, Naomh Brid refused to capitulate and forced their way up the pitch to secure an all important goal. Game on! Inside the last minute and a point again separated the teams. Naomh Brid secured possession at mid-field and worked the ball in a shooting position, but unfortunately the shot was from distance and sailed narrowly wide. On the kick out the referee sounded the final whistle for the game to end in a heart-breaking single point defeat for Naomh Brid. All credit and congratulations must go to St John’s who showed real resolve to hold out for the victory on the day.
What a great day and what a great experience for a fantasti
c Naomh Brid P5 team. They showed some fantastic skills, determination and will to win throughout a long day. They were fantastic representatives for the Club and no doubt will make many more very positive headlines in the years ahead.
Congratulations to the squad of Ethan Carleton, Andrew McDowell, Paul Stores, Frank McCormack, Christy Conlon, Peter Webb, Daniel Guinness, John Blaney, James Smith, Gregory Lynch, Ismeal Obicoyya and John Duffy.
Also, congratulations to the mentors – John Smith, Greg Blaney, Joe Webb, Brendan Guinness & Paddy McCormack – who all provided excellent encouragement and support to the children throughout the whole day.
Well done to St John’s on their victory and many congratulations to St Gall’s for a very well organised day of Gaelic games for all teams.
