ST BRIGID’S MINORS CHISIL OUT HARD EARNED CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
St Brigid’s 0-10 St Enda’s 0-6
YMCA Bladen Drive
In the preliminary round of the Antrim Minor Championship played on Tuesday 3 rd July, St. Brigid’s were right to be wary of a strong St Enda’s team. Both teams had recently had an exciting draw in the League up at Hightown Road so both were aware of each other’s capabilities.
Within the first 10 minutes of play St Brigid’s had squandered 6 scoreable chances (3 from frees). While good attacking moves ended up with wasteful wides being registered for St. Brigid’s this gave the visitors the confidence to score two excellent points of their own.
Thus the flavour of the game was set with St Brigid’s chasing to get back into the match.
St Brigid’s forward play particularly from Chris Donnelly and David Brennan, was the key as they had begun to come to terms with the St Enda’s defence strategy.
Chris Donnelly slotted over a point from a free. After a massed attack from St Brigid’s, Conor McGranaghan, despite being under severe pressure, hooked over an excellent point of his own.
However the visitors were playing with determination and purpose and two quick attacks of their own resulted in 2 further points.
That man C Donnelly after a great solo effort resulting in him being fouled on the 21 line, slotted over his 2nd point from the resultant free.
Daniel McKeever was brought on in the 25th minute to try to vary the pattern of play for St Brigid’s. Within seconds Daniel had a superb point registered to leave the sides level. The first half ended with St Enda’s goalie making a superb block to Conor McGranaghan’s goal bound effort .Thus the first half ended with both sides all square on 4 points each.
Playing downhill against the wind in the 2nd half St Brigid’s knew a better effort was required if a win was to be achieved. The first 10 minutes of play were very tense with both sides exchanging points. Then St Enda’s had a well worked point of their own and it appeared that the momentum at that stage was with the visitors.
St Brigid’s came under severe pressure but Ben Sinnott was cutting out attack after attack from St Enda’s. In the back line Tomas McKeogh, despite being nearly knocked unconscious in one particular mad scramble was dominating defence and was ably assisted by Ciaran Mackle and Ciaran Connolly.
S O’Brien was starting to launch St Brigid’s counter attacks of their own. M Malone and T McCrudden were now winning most of the breaking balls which enabled St Brigid’s to move up a gear and in the last 10 minutes coast clear of St Enda’s.
D McKeever slotted over his 2nd point to make it 6 points all. M Malone from a long range free put St Brigid’s in the lead for the first time in the match.
St Enda’s were trying to break out of their half but a superb defensive midfield display from Michael Malone thwarted most of their efforts.
David Brennan after a solo run of his own calmly stroked over his shot to give St Brigid’s a 2 point lead.
Jack Dowling making his Minor Championship debut, was winning his battle with his particular marker.
His brilliant point from 25 metres out raised a loud cheer from the large home support.
And to end the game it seemed appropriate that Paddy Nolan who had given a sterling, selfless display at full forward should slot over the final point for St Brigid’s final score.
A great win for the home team against a gritty determined display from the visitors.
Mention should also be made of the referee who managed his game superbly.
All round team performance (apart from the wides tally stake) was excellent. Tim McCrudden gave an excellent defensive midfield/display Mathew Kelly and Stevie O’Brien, both defe
