In a virtual mud bath at Lisburn last Saturday, for which flippers would have been as useful as football boots, St Brigid’s U10s eventually succumbed to the conditions and a physically stronger St Pat’s side. However, the final score-line masks what was a very evenly contested match until near the end, with no quarter asked or given by either side.
In the first of three playing periods, both teams struggled with the conditions with neither able to take a firm grip of the game. The result was that scoring opportunities were few and far between, but what little St Brigid’s did create was squandered through some erratic shooting. A solitary St Pat’s point was all there was to show on the board by the first interval.
Shortly into the next period the away defence committed hari-kari when a short back-pass to the goalkeeper was intercepted, leaving the St Pat’s forward the easiest of opportunities to blast home from close range. However, this set-back did not unsettle St Brigid’s, who were now coming more and more into the game, prompted by Kevin McGovern, Daniel Rainey and James Guinness who were getting good possession in midfield. The pressure eventually paid off when the referee pointed to the spot after an infringement in the area. Joe Cunnane coolly stepped up to give the goalkeeper no chance with a low drive to the corner of the net. With now just a point in the game Eoin Maguire seized an opportunity to point from close range to leave the sides level going into the final period.
In the third period, the home team, playing with a wind and gradient advantage, took a stranglehold on proceedings as the game began to slip away from St Brigid’s. Their defence, minus two stalwarts from their victory the previous week, was coming under relentless pressure and was eventually undone by three goals which ended the game as a contest. A late Kevin McGovern pointed free was all that St Brigid’s could manage in reply despite coming close with goal opportunities on a few occasions.
Credit to both teams for their efforts under very difficult playing conditions and the sporting manner in which the game was played. Final score: St Pat’s 4:3 St Brigid’s 1:2
St Brigid’s squad: K McGovern, D McGranaghan, D Rainey, J Guinness, J O’Kane, J Cunnane, H O’Connor, P O’Sullivan, P, O’Boyle, A Maguire, E Maguire, C McGarvey, V Harkin, A Carleton,
Upcoming fixture: Bredagh vs St Brigid’s, Sunday 30 April. Venue: Cherryvale, 10.30am throw-in
