ST. BRIGIDS SOUTH BELFAST –V- NA PIARSIAGH
Saturday April 12th saw a beautiful day in Belfast and St. Brigid’s opened their Under 14 league fixtures with a home match against Na Piarsiagh (North Belfast) at the YMCA. Conditions were beautiful for hurling and the pitch at the YMCA played hard and fast a mirror image of the manner in which the game was played.
St. Brigid’s had a physical superiority over their visitors and started the game strongly opening up a three point lead before a goal from Cahal Conway put them into a commanding position. Then in an almost Jekyll and Hyde transformation, Na Piarsiagh began to link up and hit three points to leave only one goal between the sides. St. Brigid’s goalkeeper Dermot McMenamin pulled of a superb mid-air diving save to his left to keep the score intact and at half time St. Brigid’s went in one goal in front.
After a team talk from senior players, Darren Horisk, Ciaran Farquharson and Collie Connolly, St. Brigid’s opened their second half account strongly, again exerting a physical presence over the visitors. Going into the final quarter, St. Brigid’s led 1:7 to 0:5 before a storming comeback from a very skilful Na Piarsiagh team saw a wonderful individual goal to the roof of the net from 20 yards. Another superb point and the teams were now level.
With two minutes left on the clock and both teams going all out for the win, a golden chance fell to Na Piarsiagh when a point blank shot was superbly saved by St. Brigid’s keeper, Dermot McMenamin and in a flash he was back to his feet to pull off a second save from the rebound. Having kept St. Brigid’s in the game, the final chance fell to St. Brigid’s to sneak a win but a long range shot from Garrett Mulholland went just outside the left hand post.
So, both teams after wonderful displays left with the spoils shared. Next week, St. Brigid’s play away from home at Woodlands (Finaghy Road North) against St. Agnes. The match is at 3pm on Saturday 19th April and all players are to meet at the YMCA at 2pm. Would parents please make themselves available to provide transport and support the team. Keep an eye on the website for further details.
