A depleted U-14 squad travelled to Killeavy GAC on Sunday for their first challenge match of the 2006 season. As is now the norm for these games the match was broken into 3 three twenty minute sessions. St Brigids men had a solid start through the first period with some fast attacks initiated by the mid –field pairing of Dowling and Leonard. Our back-line was kept busy also defending well against a well -schooled and determined Killeavy attack. Eight minutes into the period however B Leonard was injured and replaced by the diminutive Cathal Conway who as an U-12 was thrown into the fray earlier than management had planned. Changes in mid –field allowed Killeavy to gather some scoring momentum going into a 4 pt to 2pt lead with second on the clock to the break. St Brigids rallied however and Jack Dowling smashed home a goal to give the Blue and Amber visitors a well deserved lead. Local spectators commented that this was a momentus score as it had been some 40 years since a Dowling scored at Killeavy.
In the second period Killeavy introduced their Goliath factor in the form of their Number nine . This Six-foot youngster reeked havoc from mid –field carving his way through our half –back line and scoring with relative ease from distance . Despite well taken points from Webb and Flanagan and sustained pressure from forwards Campbell , Mackle and Stuart by the break St Brigids trailed 1 : 4 to 2:7.
Into the final period then and with nothing to loose the half forward line for St Brigids was modified to bring Mc Grady , Webb ,Mc Garry ,Lyden and Mackle all into attack. After a few minutes this seemed to be yielding dividends as Mc Grady slotted over two points from well worked build up play featuring Gribben and Ferguson. This only served to reawake the sleeping giant however as Killeavy replied with a prolonged series of attack on goals. Indeed had it not been for the acrobatics of Salters between the posts and dogged defending by O`Neill , Lee ,and Bogue- the final scoreline would have made sorry reading for St Brigids. At the final whistle then Killeavy ran out deserved winners with a score of 1:6 to 3 : 9.
St Brigids Man of the Match :- Conor O Neill
Special Commendation for Subs Conway and Lyden who stepped up from U –12 for the day to help out and performed particularly well.
Next Week Hopefully off to Tyrone to sample Dungannon Clarkes hospitality.
Check Website for League Fixtures for Tuesday Evenings.
