St Brigid’s 2:3 St John’s 2:2
St Brigid’s U14 footballers made a great start to their 2011 league campaign with a home win against a very strong St John’s team. St Brigid’s started well but despite winning the lion’s share of possession could not convert their early pressure into scores. To rub salt into the wound they then conceded a soft goal on St John’s first attack. However, St Brigid’s kept their nerve and keeping to their quick passing game they were soon to also get on the score sheet.
Their first point was a great long range effort from Conor King after a strong run by the from centre half back. This settled St Brigid’s and on the back of a well worked team move, Peter Lavery scored an excellent goal. St John’s though equally kept to their task and responded well with a point to draw level. Both teams had further chances but tireless work by Conor King, Joseph Finnegan and Frank McCormack in the St Brigid’s half back line repeatedly thwarted the St John’s attacks. Up front, Shane Moran and Peter Webb linked up well and on the back of one such interchange they set up Patrick Finnegan to score a great goal – a dipping shot over the keeper into the corner of the net. Patrick then added a further point to open up a little distance between the teams as half time neared.
In the second half, St Brigid’s again had great possession and played some excellent team football. In particular, Peter Lavery and John Blaney looked very dangerous, finding good space and passing the ball cleverly. Midway through the second half, St Brigid’s nearly added a third goal when Dominic Mooney rattled a quick and cleverly taken free kick against the bar. However, a single point from Dominic would be the only score for St Brigid’s in the second half. This point though would prove vital, as whilst St John’s scored a late goal, St Brigid’s would run out winners by a single point. This was a great game of football, played in a very sporting manner by both teams.
