The old cliché a game of two halves” could have been applied to this game, with a dominant St Brigids team taking control of the first half and holding Sarsfields to no score. Then a second half fight back taking the Paddies to within a kick of equalising.
The South Belfast lads started the brighter, with Paul Bradley posting the first score of the game, a point after some good work on the left. His second score was from the other side with fast ball out of defence, down the right wing with Callum Webb playing in a high ball to full forward Ben Power, who held off his marker to play in Paul again who found the back of the net with a crisp shot. In the following minutes the St Brigids lads held the Sarsfields lads in their own half, a narrow wide by John Morgan, was followed up with a goal from Eoin Brown, who beat two men after some great work out wide by Shea Campbell, who supplied the pass after john Morgan won possession in the middle of the Park. Sarsfields had a bit more play after that and forced a good save from Peter Henvey at his near post late on in the half. The first half finished with another point for St Brigids from Power to leave the score at the break 2-2 to no score.
After the break, it was a different story, the Paddies knew they had to get the first score of the half to remain in the game and straight from the throw in they laid siege to the St Brigids goal. Peter King and Cormac Barr faced wave after wave of attack and despite another fine save from Henvey and a goal line clearance, the hosts scored a goal and two points without reply. The momentum was all with Sarsfields, and St Brigids looked somewhat shocked, they were in a battle, and one they were in danger of losing. With 13 minutes gone in the second half, the Naomh Brid lads hadn’t raised a flag since they retook the field. However they dug deep and cleared their lines, to get the ball up field for Ben Docherty, switched from defence to attack, to steady the nerves and put 4 points between the sides. A late cameo from Rory Brolly who was introduced in the last 10 minutes, added three points and took the game out of the reach of Sarsfields. A fine game of football, between two sets of committed lads who certainly entertained the supporters on the side lines.
Final score was Sarsfields 1-2, St Brigids 2-6. Next up in the Feilé for the U14s is St Pauls at the Dub, Wednesday 19th Throw In 7pm. –
Squad- Henvey, King, Docherty, Foster, Barr, Heaney, Dunsford, Campbell, Carty, C McDonnell, Bradley, Webb, Brown, Morgan, Power, R McDonnell, Brolly, McKenna, Selvin, McCarney
