South Antrim League 29/04/10
Ardoyne Kickhams v St Brigids
A very much under strength 14 man St Brigid’s team took on the might of a full strength Ardoyne team at a blustery Mallusk Playing Fields on Thursday last. With many players lining out in experimental (ie shoe-horned) positions the team lined out as follows: Oisin (Wall) Donnelly, Brendan (Ricey) Corrigan, Anthony (Confused) McVeigh, Niall (Don’t put me there) McAleer, Michael (Scotty) McLaughlin, Colin (Thug) Connolly, Niall (Rubble) Conway, Paddy (Model boy) Magill, Lorcan (Silver Bullet) McGarvey, Luke (Poser) McCann, Ryan (Giggs) Mackle, John (Whippet) Matthews, Decky (Poster Boy) McCann, Paul (The Capt) McIntyre.
In a tough first half Ardoyne certainly put the Malone Gaels up against it firing in an impressive 1-8 against a hard fought 0-2 (Ryan, Lorcan)from the visiting team. Tireless work by Lorcan, Barney & Colly the Thug helped ensure that the home side didn’t have it all their own way, & a good showing by the Back 6 prevented what could have been a much more painful scoreline. The free flowing nature of the match was probably not helped by what appeared to be the lack of neutrality on the part of the referee, who frustrating appeared to chastise the Blue & Gold men at the drop of a hat!
Anyway on to the second half, & the visitors upped their work effort enormously, popping over a further 2 points, after some great efforts from Ryan & Barney. More impressive was the fact that they held Ardoyne to 0-3 in this half, despite losing Lorcan McGarvey to a knee injury half way through the half.
Final Score: Ardoyne 1-11: St Brigids GAC 0-4
Credit to be given to the wee whippet, John Matthews who fought (literally) tirelessly throughout & to Ryan Mackle who showed well for the ball from start to finish. Anthony McVeigh led his back 3 well, & did well only to gift his former team mates one goal, & Barney Rubble was solid as a rock (sorry!) in mid field for the height of him.
Word of thanks to the referee, as the game was neutrally referred by our own Eamonn (Kickham) Convery. Many thanks to him for standing in at the last minute Eamonn & ensuring there was a well balance free count, only joking Eamonn, thanks for helping out!
Up next is Davitts at Musgrave on Thursday night, & the strong performances shown by all against Ardoyne should give management food for thought with team selection!
