ST BRIGIDS P4s WIN ST GALLS PLATE
On Monday 3rd May, St Gall’s hosted their annual tournament for P5 children. St Brigid’s fielded a P5 squad in the main tournament and a P4 squad in the Plate tournament.
The P4 squad have been showing impressive form in challenge matches recently, and the squad was supplemented by Ryan Austin, William Skelton and Ruairi McDonnell from the P5s. Expections were high among coaches Gareth Bradley, Leo Brown and Stephen McKay that this talented group could return with the silverware.
St Brigid’s opened with comprehensive victories over St Gall’s and O’Donovan Rossa with the whole panel playing their part. Next up was local rivals Bredagh. St Brigid’s opened the match with some fluid possession play, and dominated with Paul Bradley and Eoin Brown impressing. However, wayward shooting meant that St Brigid’s only led by 4 points at half time. In the second half Bredagh upped their game and only for the strong defensive play of Ben Doherty, Turlough Brolly and James McKenna, St Brigid’s would not have come away with a draw.
Next up was a strong performance against Truagh Gaels with Joseph McCarney, Ryan Austin and William Skelton ensuring the points flowed for St Brigid’s in another comprehensive win. However, Carryduff soon banished any complacency, fielding a strong team that also drew with Bredagh. This was a very competitive match as the wind began to blow. St Brigid’s played very direct football with the wind in the first half, with some excellent shooting from Hugo Leeson and Conor Slevin and Patrick McKay showing an unerring eye for goal. In the second half, St Brigid’s retained possession extremely well to limit their opponents’ attacks as Ciaran, Ruairi McDonnell and Shea Campbell showed great determination in restricting Carryduff to 1 second half point.
Following the league section, the top 2 teams, St Brigid’s and Bredagh, played off in the final. St Brigid’s were determined not to repeat the mistakes of the first encounter, as both clubs fielded strong selections. As the match began it soon became apparent that St Brigid’s were the fitter team, as they again dominated possession and played superb football to set up Patrick McKay for 2 goals which effectively sealed the win. There was no let up in the second half as the anticipated Bredagh revival never materialised, and they were held to a single score. Final result: St Brigid’s 2-06 Bredagh 0-01
Well done to all concerned who represented the club with pride and distinction.
