St Brigids U16s Defeat St Johns Thursday 12 June 2

Score line 2-10 2-5 Looking to avenge their earlier defeat by St Johns a determined group took to the field tonight for the StBrigids U16. A cold and blustery night did not augur well for quality football. The pitch though was in tiptop condition and well turned out, a credit to the St Brigids ground staff. From the throw in the St Brigids men gained control of the game and proceeded to entertain the small crowd with a fine display of controlled, powerful driving football. They seemed to have an extra man everywhere. The hand passing was smooth and precise the defence was rock solid and always the whole team relentlessly driving forward. So overwhelmed were St Johns that in the first half they were restricted to a solitary point from a free while St Brigids had notched up 1-7. Second half the Johnnies a good team would not take this lying down. This half St Johns had the wind and playing down the hill they immediately stormed down field and scored a point. St Johns took heart and laid siege to the St Brigids half and goal area. The St Brigids men stuck to the task and there was a period of some ferocious tackling and chasing down, but the Johnnies were inching back into the game another two points for St Johns. Then a blow that would have done for any ordinary team, another speculative high ball launched in toward the St Brigids goal the keeper had it covered… but no in a cruel spin of the ball it escaped his grasp a goal. A cheer went up from the St Johns contingent. St Brigids were in more trouble gallant Garret right half back had to leave the field due to injury to be ably replaced by Chesser. The St Brigids coach now rejigged the team. Lavery went into goals Fee came on as full forward. Anxious glances at watches as St Johns managed to score another goal. But then St Brigids began to recapture the form that so delighted in the first half. A goal kick from Lavery that travelled high to the half way line was fielded by McGrady leaping like a salmon at centre field and released by him with pinpoint accuracy to the St Brigids forwards to claim a score. The game was not over but St Brigids had now broken out, the siege was lifted and the men in blue were back in the groove nothing would or could take this game from them. No one on the St Brigids team can be singled out the nineteen in blue all played their part and to paraphase ‘venerunt,viderunt,vicerunt’ A truly fabulous contest played in a sporting manner and many thanks to the scratch referee who did a marvellous job at short notice.