MATCH REPORT – Darren Hamill
U12 South Antrim League v Rossa
Venue : Musgrave
Date: 11th August 2014
Brid Og’s final league match was a home game against Rossa and in a twist of fate, it was “winner takes all” as our superior goal difference before the game meant any type of victory for the Og’s would have clinched their first South Antrim title.
Although we started well and had 5 or 6 chances to score in the first 10 minutes we could not get the all important first score. This went to the Shaw’s Road side and the goal was quickly followed by a point. The Og’s heads dropped and instead of pushing on they give their opponents too much respect and Rossa got several more quick scores. Our backs Brendan, Fintan, Gerard, JP, Paudraig and Shane and Joe in nets at times pulled off some brilliant blocking and hooking and goal mouth clearances and showed why they had conceded the least amount of scores in the league up until this match.
[ Half time: Brid Og 0-0 3-8 Rossa ]
In the second half our midfield started to get some success and both Connla and Sean put in a real shift and put their opponents under sustained pressure. This gave our forwards Adam, Andrew, Daire, Dylan, Jack C, Jack D, Luke, Niall, Pearse and Ronan the opportunity to get some scores and although we did manage a great goal (Andrew) and fine points (Connla (2) , Ronan, Sean) the effort was not enough.
[ Full time: Brid Og 1-4 4-9 Rossa ]
Thanks
I would like to thank Oliver for refereeing the game this evening and all our home games during this league campaign. Thanks to John D, John R and Gerard for their help during all our games. Especially to John R. for interrupting his holidays and making the long trip up from Sligo! Thanks again to our parental and family support which pushed our players on during this campaign. Finally well done to our players who put us into a position where any type of victory would have given us the league. Unfortunately the league is now over but we are now preparing for the Nipper Quinn Championship and hopefully our performances during the league will merit us entry into the A section this year.
Brid Og Panel : Adam Andrew Brendan Connla Daire Dylan Fintan Gerard Jack C Jack D. JP Joe Luke Niall Pearse Sean Shane Ronan
FOOTNOTE – Gerard Murray
It is worth noting that some of the squad have never played against Rossa before and that made them overly nervous in the first half.
However, the children definitely overcame their nerves as they out-fought, out-played and out-scored Rossa in the second half of the match.
Joe in nets had a fantastic game – saving many shots with hand, foot, hurl and body ! (no offence meant to our other keepers JP, Shane & Brendan !)
Several older experienced players were not available on Monday – when they return the team should be stronger.
So, a big ‘Well Done!’ to all the players. We’ll take a short break and then we’ll prepare for the Autumn championship.
