Today at Woodlands our U14 girls claimed the Antrim Feile champions title. This historic achievement meant that for the first time since its inception in 1998 there will be a name other than St Paul’s on this trophy.
The girls played 4 teams between 1.00pm and 4.00pm finishing with a very exciting and close game against St Paul’s in the final. The scenes of jubilation that followed the final whistle properly reflected the enormity of this, the club’s first ever girls under age championship.
In their first game Naomh Brid took on a courageous Ardoyne who made our girls work hard particularly in the 1st half. However the second 15-minute session saw the stronger southsiders stride away.
Next up was a very young and committed St Enda’s side. As with the Ardoyne game, Naomh Brid played with great passion and skill and were able to be able to ensure that all our players were able to get a lot of ball time.
St Gall’s proved to be very worthy opponents in the semi final. Our girls knew that they were facing a stiff challenge, having just play the girls from Milltown on Tuesday night. This occasion proved to be a close game again but some very strong second half scoring saw the Biddies through to the final and awaiting St Paul’s.
Naomh Brid were playing with the breeze at their backs in the first half but found scoring difficult with a lot of fierce but fair challenging and blocking. During the half time break the Naomh Brid girls re-grouped and knew they had to give their all if they were going to be the first ever team from St Brigid’s girls to beat St Paul’s in a competitive game and bring home a trophy.
This they did – with every single girl giving their all and throwing their bodies into tackles and challenges that left many of them ending up “on the ‘floor.” It was this determination that saw our girls on the winning side of a single point victory.
The team of Roisin O’Hare, Helen Bogue, Niamh Webb, Grace McCormick, Niamh McCann, Niamh Dunford, Emma Magee, Bronagh King, Roicha Carson, Abi Carleton, Hanna Doherty, Lara Heaney, Blaithin McBride, Emir O’Kane, Ellie Heaney, Aveen Maguire, Michelle Magee Annie Slaven and Lucy Fitzpatrick all performed magnificently and joint captains King and Carleton are now looking forward to representing their county at the 2010 All Ireland Feile in Derry.
