Naomh Brid U12s produced what was undoubtedly their best performance of the season in a resounding victory over a fancied St Gall’s in their O’Donnell Cup quarter-final clash at the YMCA on Friday evening.
The boys had clearly benefited from the experience of their visit to south Derry giants Slaughtneill the previous weekend, showing tremendous hunger and application all over the park, as befitting the Championship occasion.
Mr Versatility and senior coach and launderer, Eunan Conway, proved there is no limit to his talents when, having masterminded the swift pitch lining and erection of goal nets, he swapped his suit for a fetching yellow top to get proceedings under way. To the applause of the faithful gathered he was just stretching his vocal chords and had noted a solitary home goal, when he made way for the late, apologetic official referee.
Playing with the aid of a stiff first-half breeze and buoyed by their dream start St Brigid’s piled on the pressure and tacked on some fine scores, with Leyden and Quinn pulling the strings in attack. When St Gall’s did counter themselves, they were repelled time and again by a resolute and disciplined defence, well marshalled by the tenacious duo of Keenan and McKeever. By half time the away side had registered just a solitary score — a fortuitous goal that had looped high over the helpless Kevin McGovern in goals, who was having another fine game as last man.
Half time: Naomh Brid 4-7 St Gall’s 1-0
Despite playing into the breeze in the second half Naomh Brid continued to dominate and any hopes the away side had of overturning the large deficit were extinguished when Mooney burst through to blast home from close range to effectively end the game as a contest. Full credit to both teams as the game was played with a fierce but fair championship intensity right to the final whistle. St Gall’s were to manage just two scores in the second period as the Malone boys steamed home with some super scores of their own to claim their place in the last four.
Final score: Naomh Brid 8-9 St Gall’s 2-1.
Team: K McGovern, G Mulholland, S McKernan, J Gribben, N Lundy, J Keenan, L McKeever, C Hughes, C Conway, D Magill, N Quinn, D Mooney, P O’Sullivan, F Leyden, A Lavery.
Calling all Naomh Brid supporters, please mark your diaries: The U12s will now meet St John’s in a semi-finals double header at McRory Park on Friday, 8 June. Throw-in time 7.15pm (to be confirmed). On this performance the west Belfast club should hold no fears for Naomh Brid, who will be bidding to avenge their earlier league defeat by the Johnnies.
Upcoming games: On Friday, 1 June, the U12s A squad will play St Gall’s at Milltown (meet at pitch at 6.00pm) while the B squad will host St Agnes’ at the YMCA (meet at the pitch at 6.00pm).
Training as usual on Sunday morning at 10.30am, YMCA.
