The u10 annual tournament took place on Sunday 14 September 2014, with the teams successful in winning the Paddy Flanagan Cup and Shield. It was with great pleasure that Brian McGurk (captain) and Aodhan McNicholl & James Gorman (vice-captains) received the Cup from Club Chairman, Dermot Dowling.
It was a glorious day, not just because of the weather, but because the u10 squad was able to field 3 teams of players. One team played in the Paddy Flanagan Cup competition, while the other two teams, under the guidance of the coaches Gareth (pictured below) and Damien, played in the shield competition.
The St Brigid’s boys met in the first match of the shield competition. It was a competitive match, with all personal loyalties set aside for the sake of the team. The play was fast and, if one were to ask referee, Joe Moore, at times furious. But tackles were fair and scores were hard to come by as a result of some impressive defensive play.
The two teams then had a further two matches in their group against Bredagh and Lamh Dhearg. After the tallying of scores over the lunch break both St Brigid’s teams had secured places in the shield semi-finals. The exciting prospect of whether they would meet again in the final kept all supporters riveted, and the boys did not fail to reward with some great performances, winning their respective matches against Rossa and Bredagh. Rossa had started very well and secured a number of scores before the St Brigid’s boys registered a single score. However, the half time talk was inspirational and the boys won by 2 points.
The final was an exciting match that could have been won by either team as the play moved from box to box. However, in the final moments Damien’s team were victorious. The final saw some further competitive tussles between our u10s. Team mates and cousins, Lorcan and Mel Murnaghan, and Shane and Thomas Graham on occasions lined out to mark each other.
Meanwhile the boys competing in the Cup competition were looking forward to achieving the success of the u10s of previous years and retaining the Paddy Flanagan Cup within the club. Despite the knowledge that they could make history by not doing so, they played positive, fast moving, competitive football from the first throw-in against Rossa. They then met John Mitchel’s Glenullin in their second match. This was a match the coach, Cathal, was looking forward to, having played his boyhood football with Glenullin. The meeting did not fail to disappoint and it was the only match the St Brigid’s did not win in the group stage – being held by Glenullin to a draw.
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Some of this team had played against St Paul’s Holywood in last year’s tournament and were aware St Paul’s wanted to make up for their heavy defeat of last year. The match was played at a fast pace from the throw-in but the athleticism of the St Brigid’s boys resulted in them being easy victors. The u10s from St Mary’s Sligo had had a long journey but did not show the effect of their travels when playing against Rossa, however, the match against St Brigid’s saw them outplayed in all sectors of the field with all the St Brigid’s forwards and mid-fielders registering scores. The final match of the group stage for St Brigid’s was against Lamh Dhearg and the boys, having played against this team in the Sunday morning Go Games competition, were confident they would finish at the top of their group.
The reward for finishing top of this group was a bye into the semi-final of the Cup competition. St Gall’s also finished top of their group and got a bye into the semi-final, while the quarter finals were battled out between Glenullin v Bredagh and St Mary’s v Carryduff, with the local teams successfully progressing into the semi-finals. It was a privilege to host Glenullin and St Mary’s at the tournament. They were sporting teams who we look forward to meeting and playing against again.
The semi-finals were played out between St Gall’s v Carryduff and St Brigid’s v Bredagh, with St Gall’s and St Brigid’s winning impressively. The St Brigid’s team had played Bredagh in a challenge match and in the Carryduff tournament this season. They knew the Bredagh team played a similar style of quick passing football. However, from the throw-in the St Brigid’s boys commandeered the middle of the field, with all forwards, midfielders and a full-back registered scores. At half-time Bredagh had been held scoreless and this was the case until the final whistle. But the boys knew there was no room for complacency as St Gall’s had beaten Carryduff, who were impressive in the recent matches St Brigid’s had played against them.
The final was very well supported by most of the u10 squad and their parents. St Gall’s also had a large travelling support and the shouts of encouragement around the pitch could be heard from far away. The boys from both teams played with great heart and determination, with St Brigid’s getting some early scores that were to prove very beneficial when St Gall’s came back to within 3 points of the St Brigid lead. The second half of the game saw many examples of the fast passing game the boys have been practising in training, and they ran out comfortable winners. We congratulate St Gall’s for a competitive and enjoyable game and look forward to playing them in the near future.
Goal keeper: Matthew McCann – Matthew’s long, accurate kickouts were instrumental in ensuring the midfield and forwards enjoyed quality balls, and allowed the boys to take advantage of their high fielding skills.
Backs:
Samir O’Hare – Samir is a defender any team would be delighted to have on their side. He can field, pass with accuracy and defends with the heart of a lion.
James Gorman (vice-captain) – James can read a match from the start and works tirelessly in defence, but can be relied on to pop up along the line with an accurate pass into the full forwards which usually result in a timely score. James was very effective throughout the tournament ensuring the backs marked tightly, without giving away unnecessary frees.
Niall Finnegan – Niall has recently been playing along side James in defence and the two boys are able to communicate well and pass with accuracy between themselves. James’ foot passing to Niall results in the ball being carried quickly out of defence (unless Niall is being fouled as he solos!). Throughout the tournament Niall’s fielding was superb.
James Kilpatrick – James is known for his relaxed style of football, but throughout the tournament he played with heart and determination and was unfailing in defence. Every ball mattered and James ensured he was the first to each pass. This was probably James’ finest day in a St Brigid’s jersey and the sight of his hair flying back as he ran past to compete for each ball is one many supporters will remember.
Mid-field:
Brian McGurk (captain) – Brian took the challenge of being appointed team captain for the tournament very seriously and sought to motivate all players throughout the matches. He shouted encouragement and praise to ensure the team were marking their opponents and finding space for kickouts. His own fielding was excellent and he passed with fluency and accuracy. He had some fine scores off both his left and right boots. He was delighted to retain the Paddy Flanagan Cup for the club.
Aodhan McNicholl (vice-captain) – Aodhan never fails to put in a superb individual performance, but what made it special watching Aodhan play throughout the tournament was how he motivated his team mates, leading by example and giving everything he had in each tackle, pass and score. Aodhan’s free taking, hand passing and foot passing were superb, but perhaps best of all was his ability to spot the free player and make the scoring chance for his team.
Forwards:
Donal Hanna – Donal is another player who has his own distinct style of football, he jumps and twists, but importantly throughout the tournament was the player to come away with the ball. He won timely frees and converted them with ease. Donal won a lot of ball by being quickest to the ball and was able to distribute passes throughout the forward line, or to the mid-fielders if required.
Fintan Cleary – Fintan is known for splitting open defences with great kick passes, and during this tournament he not only left the opposing defence powerless but he converted many frees and scored from distance. If the ball was caught languishing in his own defence Fintan would be found travelling down the wing at pace to pick up the breaking ball and deliver to the full forwards.
Niall Duffy – Niall is a defender’s nightmare! He has pace and accuracy, often taking the score that inspires the rest of the team to push on and win. While Niall is known for his opportunistic goal scoring he was very aware that there was only one point for putting the ball in the back of the net, but two points when the ball went over the crossbar, and so Niall fisted the ball over the bar with ease.
Jack Toner – Jack is a very versatile player who takes on the role required. If Jack is marking his man that player does not get the chance to touch leather, while Jack can field and pass the ball to the half-back line, or turn and convert a point himself. He played tirelessly and fiercely throughout the tournament and enjoyed the victory!
Mark Culinan – Mark is a young player who has progressed throughout the season and showed some great passing and kicking skills in this tournament. He too enjoyed the win, having contributed to the success of the team as a reliable and stylish forward.
Thomas McKenna – Thomas plays with heart and a mischievous smile, but his opponents are not to be fooled by his demeanour because there is no such thing as a 50:50 ball – Thomas will be the one who comes away with the ball and has the vision to pass to the player in space.
Conor Logue – Conor is a versatile player who is willing to take up the challenge in any sector of the field. He was impressive in the forwards, and also happily replaced the injured goal keeper in the final. Conor has made great progress in recent times and is a pleasure to watch.
Eoghan O’Mainnin – Eoghan is a determined player who is brave in the tackle, wholehearted and committed. Eoghan can find the free player and make long range passes with accuracy. If a ball is spiralling over the sideline the player to keep the ball in play is Eoghan.
It is customary in these games to name a man of the match. Post-tournament analysis by the players and parents would suggest the only winner of that honour was the u10 team – every individual stood out …. together!
