Yes in a pulsating match played at the YMCA, on Saturday 7th May 2005, St. Brigids Ladies Senior team (hereinafter referred to as the winners) conquered a valiant and hard working team from Glenavy.
The final score read as 3:07 to 0:01. On the scoreboard this was a resounding success but it was achieved on the back of a disciplined and hard-working performance by every member of the team. Let’s not forget, this was a team performance and that was the foundation on which this success was built.
As is the norm a different member of the winners took the toss and to our favour we won and decided to play with the gale force wind. The team was reshuffled, which saw Helen Brennan making her first start at left corner back, Bronagh McKendrie continuing on from her last performance at full back, Ellen Scott at left half back, Sophie Curran at midfield (shocked when she found out!!), Ciara Loughran at full forward (again shocked!!) and Catherine O’Neill at left corner forward.
The first half was dominated by the winners. Orla Montague who was outstanding at midfield opened the scoring with a goal, Glenavy’s goalkeeper could not keep out. Ciara Loughran operating at full forward opened her account with a nicely taken point and then marauding centre half back Catherine Mullan drilled another goal. Glenavy’s star midfielder Bronagh McClenaghan tried to impose herself on the game but simply could not because of the outstanding selfless individual performance of Sophie Curran. Herself and Orla Montague dominated centerfield throughout the entire match.
Defender cum attacker Catherine O’Neill not wanting to be left of the scoring charts opened her account with a beautifully taken goal followed by a point. Orla Montague and Catherine Mullan again added points before Siobhan McKenna finished the half’s scoring with a beautifully slotted point.
Glenavy registered one wide in the first half and anytime the ball came up the field, the winners defence snuffed out their opportunities.
Half time score, 2:06 to 0:0.
At the half way break the girls refocused and on the task ahead. Playing the second half up the field, into the wind and not simply wanting to hold onto their lead but to increase it, the girls accepted the challenge ahead and went out to do battle.
And what a battle they fought. Within five minutes the lead was stretched when Catherine O’Neill sent the ball into the left hand corner for another goal. When the rains came and the winds were howling in the faces of the winners, they still dominated. Sara McGuckian, Helen Keenan and Aoife McSherry in the half forward line were immense in winning possession and laying it off to better placed team-mates. Ciara Loughran whilst missing a few scores took the pressure of the rest of the team with her constant threat in front of goal. She continually looked for the ball and ran at the Glenavy defence who simply could not handle her. Three substitutes were introduced to the St. Brigids team, Jane McGuckian, Rachel Carswell and Margaret Synott who all performed well. This was Margaret’s first match and she did not look out of her depth at all. Next time we’ll get her a pair of football boots and gloves and she will be unstoppable.
When the referee did blow the final whistle a jubilant St. Brigids team were overjoyed, with what was truly an immense performance. Many thanks to our opponents, Glenavy Ladies Senior team and the referee Pauric Mullan.
