The Naomh Brid U12s helped themselves to a double success at the weekend, defeating St Teresa’s in the O’Donnell Cup on Friday evening before recording a fine victory over near neighbours Bredagh at the YMCA on Sunday morning.
On Friday evening the Malone boys took a little time to adjust to the wet conditions at the Glen Road venue, as well as the Championship pace, but Cathal Conway and Niall Quinn gradually began to dominate at midfield and link well with the forward line. Meanwhile in defence John Keenan showed no signs of a lengthy injury absence as he broke up dangerous attacks and won good breaking ball.
A goal from Philip O’Sullivan and points from Feargal Leyden gave the away side a healthy five-point interval lead.
Half time: St Teresa’s 0-1 Naomh Brid 1-3
Naomh Brid increased their dominance in the second half and began to pick off good scores from play as they penned the home side back. Two further goals from Leyden and Quinn put the outcome beyond doubt and St Teresa’s were to fail to add to their solitary point. The Malone side were well served by McKeever, Lundy, and Keenan in defence, Conway at midfield and Quinn, Mooney and Leyden in attack. In goals Kevin McGovern’s handling was excellent throughout, particularly under some threatening high ball.
Final score: St Teresa’s 0-1 Naomh Brid 3-6
Naomh Brid will now play St Gall’s in the Championship ¼ final on Friday, 25 May. Venue to be arranged.
Playing conditions were excellent for the visit to the YMCA of Bredagh Harps on a beautiful Sunday morning in a highly competitive double bill, in which Naomh Brid U12s A and B teams both won their respective matches. The B team came out on top by four points with the A team winning on a score-line of 2-9 to 2-3. Players to catch the eye for the A team were Niall Quinn, Niall Lundy and John Keenan, with the ever improving Maurice Campbell doing well in defence for the Malone Road boys.
This was a very useful run out for the entire under 12 panel and Bredagh
contributed to a well contested pair of matches with plenty of skill on show.
Next Sunday morning sees the boys on tour to County Derry where they will meet Robert Emmett’s Slaughtneil, in what should be a useful test before the Championship ¼ final. Meet at YMCA car park for departure at 9.45am sharp. Parents willing to help with transport would be much appreciated.
This Friday, 18 May the B team play Na Fuiseoige in Div 2 at Twinbrook. Meet at pitch at 6.00pm. There will be training for the A squad at the YMCA on Friday evening at 6.00pm.
