St Brigids U-14 find Rossa tough opposition
*See Gallery for match photos!*
In the final game of the U-14 feile campaign, St Brigids played host to a strong Rossa side that had come through their early games with good wins over strong opposition. St Brigids had a full panel of 24 to call on and by mutual consent both teams drew on subs without restriction throughout the match.
Slow to realise the game had started St Brigids found themselves 3 points behind within five minutes of the throw-in. Urged on be their defense however the mid-field pairing of Joe Begley and Conor Mc Granaghan got some quality ball supply through to the forward line where Peter McLean was able to palm home the goal which levelled the sides. Unfortunately St Brigids failed to capitalise on an intense spell of pressure thereafter with only one well-taken point from Michael Phoneix to show for their efforts on goal. In response however a well-schooled and skilful Rossa attack eased ahead scoring a further goal and four points to no reply up to half time.
Some personnel changes after the break did little to stem the relentless attack of the visitors as they laid siege to St Brigids goal. Daniel Nolan, in his first taste between the posts for St Brigids, was kept very busy as high ball after high ball rained in on him from long range. All credit to him as no goals managed to creep past for fifteen to twenty minutes. Then, as with the first half, the pressure switched to the Rossa goal as Simon Ramsey slotted over a point from distance to be followed up with a spectacular solo effort from Oliver Mc Donald which for once left the Rossa keeper stranded and found the corner of the net. Points were exchanged in the next five minutes as the game took on an “end to end” complexion but hopes of a St Brigids revival were cruelly dashed as both Rossa mid-field substitutes netted in quick succession to put the visitors out of reach with minutes to go. To the home teams credit they continued to battle to the whistle with Andrew Gribben, Paddy Mc Cauley Andrew Sweeney and Donal Mc Keating putting in particularly hard working shifts in the latter stages.
On the final whistle the home team had succumbed to a 4: 10 to 2:4 defeat but had learnt a lot about the merits of keeping possession, taking scoring opportunities and the fitness demands at this level of football – all lessons a strong Rossa squad seem to have picked up some time ago. All credit to the visitors for a spirited display of hard, clean no nonsense football. For the St Brigids squad it’s onward to the start of the U-14 league on Tuesday 17th which is away to Davitts.
