St Brigid’s 4 – 9 St Gall’s 4 – 11
After two hours of football two points separated these two young sides and St Gall’s now proceed to a semi final against St Paul’s. However there was much for the home side to celebrate as a very young team showed enormous determination and pride in the Naomh Brid jersey to run St Gall’s very close. Whilst denied a victory, this was a very sporting game, and was a fitting end to a wonderful Deich mBlana Celebration weekend.
This was achieved minus two of the team’s most senior players with Rose McKeogh unable to play after picking up an injury in Saturday’s friendly against Bredagh at Musgrave Park and Aoife McCann doing likewise at the Ulster Netball squads on Saturday also. McKeogh was unfit to travel and whilst McCann lined out at full back, she was forced to come off early in the game after aggravating her injury. Aimee Duffy and Julie Curran failed to show and thus the home side had their back to the wall but what a boost for team mentors to see how well the younger players answered the call.
Aoife Montague had an outstanding game, scoring many superb points from play to keep the home side in touch with St Gall’s after the visitors got off to a flying start with two goals. Montague epitomises all that is good in Naomh Brid ladies, combining no little skill with immense workrate and committment to the team and club. Anna Finnegan stepped into the midfield position in McCann’s absence to partner Ellen McGrath and both ran every inch of the pitch, appearing in defence one minute and in forwards the next. Finnegan capped off a great performance with two very well taken goals in the second half whilst McGrath fielded the majority of the St Brigid’s kick outs.
Katie McMullan played a captain’s part at full back where she marshalled her defence with tenacious, skilful tackling and fantastic fielding while Sarah Smart showed why she could be a future Antrim goalkeeper. Both McMullan and Smart saved many goal bound shots in a tense second half as St Gall’s tried time and again to breach the hardworking home defence in which Naoimi Morris and the Toner girls [no relation!], Paula and Sarah, worked tirelessly.
In the end, screaming lungs and tired limbs just ran out of steam but team mentors could not have asked for more.
It is inappropriate to mention every player in what was an immense team performance by players of varying age, skill and experience but it is no exaggeration to say that this team did the Naomh Brid jersey very proud and have ended the season on a very high note for St Brigid’s ladies. The younger players know the high standard the older players have set and they now must work hard to improve their skill and fitness levels.
We wish St Gall’s well in the semi final.
