In a blustery Corrigan Park, on 16th March , St.Brigids-St.Patricks Gaels collected the Dwyer Cup -South Antrim Minor Championship in a pulsating game of football against a gallant O Donovan Rossa team.
Rossa entered the game as odds -on favourites, having beaten St. Johns in their semi- final. They opened the game with direct running and blitzed the Gaels defence with 4 unanswered points. Once settled , the Gaels began to fight back and a lovely flowing move started with Alex Lavery(?) and ended with Mark Boylan driving to the net. A Gaels point followed , the Gaels replied with points from Shane Boyle and Conor O Doherty.Rossa lost a player to the black card rule. Two converted frees by Rossa left the HT score Rossa 0- 8 Gaels 1-3.
The 2nd half began with Rossa dominating in midfield but they failed to take crucial chances. The Gaels began to secure breaking ball and push forward to take the lead with 3 unanswered points, to lead by one. Rossa lost a 2nd player to 2 yellows. With the middle 8 taking control Caolan Lynch gained possession on the 40; he began a mazy run ( eoin mulligan style ) beating 3 defenders and ripping the ball to the back of the net. The Gaels were on top. Rossa fought back and gained a vital foothold,scoring 3 points in a row n to leave it a 1 point game again. Shane Boyle received a 2nd yellow with 5 mins to play. Rossa had a number of opportunities to score but the conditions made long range points difficult, as the Gaels defence held firm . In the final minute , Luke O’Neill was black carded, but the game was over. The Gaels had a famous victory.
