Naomh Brid, P5 development squad took part in the annual Mayday St Galls plate tournament today and did their club and families proud when they exceeded expectations to take their place in the final of the competition, where they lost out to Carryduff. The achievement in reaching the final was down to total commitment and dedicated teamwork from the squad.
The first group match was against hosts St Galls, ‘B’ team and from the first whistle it was clear that the St Brigids boys were playing at a higher standard than they have done previously. The midfield trio of Paddy McAllister, Michael Duffy and Patrick Graham ferried possession to the full forward line of Patrick Devlin, Conor Mulgrew and Peter McGerrity. Paddy McAllister led the scoring in the first half with a spread of super points while Mulgrew and McGerrity chipped in with a goal apiece. The defence of Ciaran Shearer, Joe McCarney and Patrick Murphy ensured that St Galls found it very tough to get back into the game.
McDermotts were next up and this was a much different game, with the opposition offering much stiffer resistance due to their sizeable physical presence. Indeed the Falls Road men took an early lead with a goal before Paddy McAllister pulled one back. Zach Porter had by now joined in the midfield and along with Paddy and Michael Duffy they gathered plenty of possession, usually on the end of lengthy kick outs from keeper Ciaran Shearer. After St Brigids took the lead through McAllister and Duffy points, a well worked move ended with a top drawer save from the big McDermotts keeper when a goal looked likely. That let off signalled a period of intense pressure from McDermots as they sought an equalising score. In the final, tense five minutes they hit four wides, each of which was the result of committed tackling and blocking from McCarney and Graham in particular. Substitute Shane Murphy played his part too as St Brigids clinched a place in the final.
Carrdyuff provided the opposition and the two teams were evenly matched. An early Conor Mulgrew effort went just wide, while at the opposite end of the pitch a save from Ciaran Shearer was wrongly given as a goal. After Carryduff extended their lead with further points, a Michael Duffy goal from a long distance free brought St Brigids that bit closer on the half time whistle. Early in the second half Carryduff began to pull away and although the Brigids boys fought all they way (and endured some curious referring decisions), the game was slowly going away from them, ending in a narrow defeat.
It was a huge effort, three games in quick succession and each of the boys excelled. Paddy McAllister and Michael Duffy led the way in the scoring while Joe McCarney kept a tight rein on the defence. There was disappointment all round at the end, and it wasn’t confined to the players! But that soon passed as the runners up medals were awarded. Well done boys, and hard luck. With thanks to St Galls for an excellent tournament.
