St Brigid’s U12 V Lamh Dhearg Friday 22nd May 2009 Match Report
For their second away match of the current campaign St. Brigids Under 12’s travelled uphill to Hannahstown and the home of Lamh Dhearg GAC.
The early Friday evening air was still with the only cloud visible crowning the distant Mournes and with underfoot conditions very good considering the recent weather, the stage was set; indeed the setting and the facilities are made for football of a high order, something the young footballers of each team set out to prove.
St. Brigids were determined to repeat their most recent outing when they defeated strong Co. Armagh opposition Clann Eireann of Lurgan in a challenge match and though not quite reaching those heights here still played well to come away with a win against a very good Lamh Dhearg team.
Initial exchanges were even but once settled, St.Brigids began to set the tempo with quick composed play. Joseph Finnegan at centre half back epitomized this, taking the game to Lamh Dhearg from start to finish with an accomplished display of skill and passion.
St Brigids were first to score; good combination play between Enda Kelly McCann and Daire McGarvey set up Neil O’Reilly, who was fouled on his way goalwards. He duly converted the resulting free. Shane Moran, already heavily involved, took a telling pass from Enda and he slotted over a good point on the run. Enda himself followed with a fine point, kicking over from an angle after some very good work in the corner by Peter Lavery. The pairing of James Smith and Conor King were working extremely hard in midfield and with the excellent Michael Cummings and Daire McGarvey probing from the wings St Brigids continued to take the game to Lamh Dhearg. This early pressure was rewarded still further when Daire took a very fine score on the turn.
It wasn’t all one way traffic as Lamh Dhearg were full of good movement but found themselves up against a very determined and resilient St Brigid’s defence. Well directed by the impressive Gavin Campbell at full back, Paul Storrs was at his consistent best in the right corner, while debutant defender John Duffy was giving a good account of himself, filling in at left full back. In goals Dermot McMenamin was solid and positive throughout making some telling interceptions and clearances. The half back line of the pacey Patrick Finnegan, brother Joseph and the battling Frank McCormack were giving nothing away and pressing forward at every opportunity. At the other end, the busy Shane Moran kicked his second point after more good work from the talented Neil O’Reilly. This was quickly cancelled however when Lamh Dhearg completed a fine passage of play to score a terrific point – the best score of the half.
At this stage St Brigid’s had to make a forced substitution, due to injury, at right half back with Callum Power coming on for the ever present Patrick Finnegan. However, St Brigid’s were beginning to move the ball forward at pace, with the entire half back line of Frank McCormack, Joseph Finnegan and Callum Power, who had quickly slotted in, on top of their game. James Smith roaming forward from midfield, got on the end of another quick move to record a very fine point. A series of misses followed which didn’t do justice to the team’s work rate and support play. Lamh Dearg themselves had a great opportunity when a goal bound shot narrowly missed its target. One score did bring first half proceedings to an end when a Shane Moran free found the excellent Conor King who kicked a classy point.
The second half got under way with just one change to the starting St Brigid’s line up – Owen Winters having impressed during training and previous league match replacing the hard working John Duffy at left full back. Picking up where they had left off, St Brigid’s got quickly into their stride when Shane Moran demonstrated good vision to pick out the mobile Enda Kelly McCann who evaded his marker
