Minor League Match
Lamh Dhearg 3-14 St Brigid’s 1-9
Tuesday 12 June 2007
St Brigid’s were already missing 5 main players before the match started and quickly lost 2 further players to injuries. T McKeogh (back injury) and R Mackle (foot injury). Again St Brigid’s had to rely on 6 U-16 players just to field a team . Both teams enjoyed equal possession of play in the first half.
However the first half statistics made poor reading for St Brigid’s. The Hannahstown team had 8 points scored (4 from soft frees) and 4 wides. St Brigid’s had 2 points scored and 10 wides. A further 3 golden opportunities to score goals were all spurned by the visitors which would have put a different complexion on the eventual result.
By failing to convert chances St Brigid’s were allowing the home side to flatter in the scoring stakes.
Some of St Brigid’s forward display was excellent including winning 50/50 balls but winning the “kick a wide” competition was the only tangible result achieved.
In the 2nd half St Brigid’s began more brightly cutting out many of the attacks launched by the Hannahstown team. Daniel McKeever was playing some excellent football ably assisted by Chris Donnelly.
At this stage Timothy McCrudden and Conor McGranaghan were doing sterling work in midfield. However an unfortunate Liamh Dhearg goal took the momentum away from St Brigid’s and came totally against the run of play at that crucial stage.
To be fair to St Brigid’s their heads did not go down and spurred on by some excellent forays forward from Steve O’Brien in the half-back line St Brigid’s started registering points from Daniel McKeever, Conor McGranaghan and Paddy Nolan. A long range effort from Martin Ramsay, with some excellent distracting work by Chris Donnelly and Jack Dowling resulted in a goal for St Brigid’s.
At this stage St Brigid’s went all out attack to see if a win could be chiselled out.
St Brigid’s were unfortunate on 2 clear goal scoring chances and Conor McGranaghan’s effort in particular was the most noteworthy.
Two resultant counter attacks resulted in 2 goals for Liamh Dhearg which whilst well taken, did not truly reflect the closeness of the game.
A final point from Chris Donnelly left the score-line 3-14 to 1-9 to the home side.
Once again great performances from the 6 x U-16 players, who stepped up to the mark. Overall the team display, despite the score, was industrious enterprising and spirited.
We hope Thomas McKeogh and Ryan Mackle have a speedy recovery from their respective injuries,
In defence Ciaran Connolly and Stephen O’Brien continued to give impeccable performances. Martin Ramsay capped his marvellous display with a goal. Jack Dowling continues to give a tireless and superb service in the forward line.
Chris Donnelly was unfortunate not to have registered 2 or 3 goals particularly from one mazy soccer style solo run!
Man of the Match for his sterling leadership qualities was Timothy McCrudden giving a measured controlled performance in midfield.
TEAM
T Convery C Connolly T McKeogh (sub S Ramsay 20 mins)
L McGread (sub Conor Mackle 35 mins) S O’Brien Ciaran Mackle
C McGranaghan T McCrudden M Ramsay C Donnelly
R Mackle (sub A McLarnon 35 mins) J Dowling P Nolan
D McKeever,
SCORERS
P Nolan 0-3
D McKeever 0-4
C McGranaghan 0-1
M Ramsay 1-0
C Donnelly 0-1
Man of the Match Timothy McCrudden
