Our Under 14 Ladies proved they can carry their energy and strength through a heavy season to deliver on more silverware as they stormed to victory in the Culbert Brennan Cup at our good friends St Gall’s.
With 20 teams in from all over Ireland, and Davitt’s visiting again from Scotland, the competition was fierce, with the 7.5 minute games ensuring that any loss of concentration could be fatal.
We opened our account against a strong Clonduff team who forced us into a tight contest which was only settled by a single point win to our girls. We followed this with a comprehensive win over Foxrock from Dublin and then a further win against St Gall’s.
This left the group winner to be decided between St Brigid’s and Mooretown who had been dominant in all their games. Our ladies took the fight to them, determined to secure first spot and make the quarter finals, and they delivered with a strong win.
Quarter final time saw us facing a powerful Moneyglass side containing a number of the successful U16 championship squad. The girls from the country scored a goal early in the match to threaten our progress, but assured pointing for Emma Ferran saw us come through a bruising battle 0-4 to 1-0. Next up, a semi final match against our old nemesis St Paul’s who had disposed of a fancied Carryduff in their quarter final.
The semi started briskly with our defensive line putting in a strong performance to deny a couple of goal opportunities. It was a niggling affair, but our girls were determined to pay the West Belfast girls back for the loss in the Championship final and they posted 3 unanswered points to leave the ‘hoops’ reeling. Final place booked!
St Bride’s form County Louth faced us in the cup final having won their semi final against Aldergrove in extra time. They were fast and accurate, but having dominated throughout the day, our girls were determined not to let the trophy slip through their fingers, and when Eimear Matthews netted, it put daylight between the two squads, the game finishing 1-4 to 0-4.
A huge thank you to St Gall’s for all their hard work on the day and as always, their generous hospitality. To cup and shield winners, St Gall’s and Clonduff, congratulations, and to our own South Belfast Ladies….Naomh Brid Abu! Culbert Brennan Cup Champions, 2014!
