St Brigids U10’s won the annual Carryduff U10 football tournament on Saturday 14th June. Taking part were 12 teams from a host of counties across Ulster – namely Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Derry.
The initial group stage for St Brigids saw them pitted against a strong St Enda’s team and a second team entered by the hosts Carryduff. Against the breeze in the first half, St Brigids found it difficult to get into their stride against a strong tackling St Enda’s and though they had the lion’s share of the possession, a solitary point from Peter Lavery was the only score at half time. In the second half, Enda Kelly McCann moved to full forward and scores quickly followed. Peter Lavery, at corner forward had an excellent match and calmly placed a great shot to goal in the corner of the net after another mazy run. This helped to settle St Brigids and a further clever and well fisted goal followed from Callum Power. Peter Webb added a long distance point, and to cap a great personal display, Peter Lavery closed off the scoring.
Against Carryduff, St Brigids got off to a flying start with a goal from James Smith. Also, good team and link play between John Blaney, Peter Webb and James Smith lead to further fine scores. In the second half, Ryan Dillon and Gregory Lynch came into the attack and assisted further scores from Ismeal Obikoyka and Peter Webb.
St Brigids backs had it relatively quiet up to now – but that would all change as the second stage of the tournament commenced. St Brigids had qualified for the premier section, along with the winners from the other 3 stage 1 groups – Rossa, Errigal Kieran and Carryduff’s first team.
In a keenly contested match against Carryduff, St Brigids got off to a great start with two points from James Smith, the second from a difficult angle, after a fine high field in the Carryduff penalty box. However, Carryduff responded with a point and rallied in the run up to the end of the half. Superbly marshalled by Patrick Finnegan at centre half back, the St Brigids defence held strong with Paul Stores and Frank McCormack again showing superb game reading and tackling skills. Nevertheless at 0-2 to 0-1 at half time, St Brigids had it all to do in the second half against the wind. Pushed on by excellent support play by Joseph Finnegan, St Brigids notched up an early score to take a 2 point lead. A 2 point lead is always a dangerous margin and so it proved with Carryduff slotting in a counter attack goal. St Brigids mounted on the pressure but Carryduff defended resiliently – closing down the St Brigids forwards. However, they could do little to stop another bursting break from midfield by Peter Webb which levelled the score and the match.
Carryduff went on to also draw their next match – so that meant, the tournament was back in St Brigids own hands – they needed to win their last two games. First up was Rossa. St Brigids were also up too – putting in their best performance to date. Ismeal Obikoyka in attack looked a constant danger and Daniel Guinness and Peter Webb continued to dominate at midfield. Two goals from Daniel Guinness got St Brigids off to great start – the first a blistering shot to the roof of the net after a strong solo run. However, they needed to be thankful to their keeper Henry Doran who superbly saved a penalty kick to keep distance between the teams. Resolute defending by Andrew McDowell and Dara McGarvey formed the launch pad for further St Brigids scores – another fine goal by Enda Kelly McCann and a point by Daniel Guinness.
With Errigal Kieran also winning their second match and also unbeaten to date, the final match of the tournament was set up for a cliff-hanger with both sides going for the win. Against the wind in the first half, St Brigids half back line put up a formidable wall to the Errigal Kieran’s attacks. This determination spurred on St Brigids and their forwards started to link up. Good play by James Smith set up Peter Lavery – who again showed great composure to finish off a great move with a finely taken point under pressure. This would be the only score of the half. In the second half, the match continued to be keenly contested with scores at a rarity. Good work again by the St Brigids defence, provided good ball into the forwards. Frank McCormack in the half back line had a tremendous match and was instrumental in setting up St Brigids second score, a point by James Smith. However, an excellent Errigal Kieran team fought back to again leave the minimum margin between the teams. The St Brigids defence though was solid, with corner backs Dara McGarvey and Andrew McDowell nipping any danger in the bud – enabling St Brigids to work the ball upfield – and for Peter Webb to finish a fine team move in emphatic style. This was the insurance point and as it turned out the final score – 0-3 to 0-1. The final whistle went – and the celebrations started, indeed they went on for some time. Well done and congratulations to the team on their performance and the excellent sportsmanship they showed.
Finally, thanks are due to Carryduff – for the superb hospitality they provided and the excellent manner in which they organised and ran such a enjoyable day of under age football.
