St Brigid’s Ogs win the Jack McCartan Cup
-at-
St Paul’s, Belfast
Sunday 2 October 2011
Following their recent success at the St Brigid’s U10 Tournament, the young members of the St Brigid’s U10 Ogs Panel earned more plaudits for their strong performance in treacherous conditions at the St Paul’s Tournament last Sunday. Following two days of rain, whether the Tournament would proceed at all was in the balance on Sunday morning but the clearing conditions meant the call was made to go ahead as planned.
First up in the group stages was neighbouring Club Bredagh and the stage was set for the usual competitive encounter between these great rivals. On this occasion the St Brigid’s lads hit the front early through the dominance of mid field partnership Ben Doherty and Paul Bradley. Despite the conditions, the sharp passing and excellent support play, particularly from attacking corner backs, Shay Campbell and Marcus Lynch, propelled the St Brigid’s team to a solid half time lead of five points to one. Following the break, Bredagh raised their game but centre back Conor Slevin was rarely troubled as half back Calum Webb dominated the space just behind mid field. Up front, Eoin Brown and Cian McDonnell tagged on a number of unanswered points to see St Brigid’s finishing in impressive form.
Next up were a Lamh Dearg team much improved from the team which took the field at the St Brigid’s tournament earlier in the year. However, again, St Brigid’s settled very quickly to their task with the mid field and forward lines scoring freely. Half time saw St Brigid’s in a strong position. The second half saw the introduction of Toirealach Brolly, James McKenna and Jack McGurk up front with Patrick McKay taking up the position of corner back. Whilst Lamh Dearg rallied in the second half the result was never seriously in doubt.
Ardoyne Kickhams were a late withdrawal from the competition and St Brigid’s had an early break to the morning games, having qualified for the Jack McCartan Cup Competition at the head of Group 2.
First up after lunch in the Jack McCartan Cup Quarter Final was the first of two St Paul’s teams representing the Home Club in the Cup Competition. Before a strong home support, the young St Paul’s lads fought gamely to establish a toe hold in the game against the experienced St Brigid’s outfit. Early points from Ben Doherty and Paul Bradley set the pattern for this game which saw St Brigid’s assert their authority in some style. With mid field proving dominant and the forward line latching on to every opportunity, the St Paul’s lads found themselves struggling. On the few occasions they did threaten, Thomas McCarney was outstanding in goal, intercepting the ball and delivering accurate kick outs. The second half was notable for fine performance by Patrick McKay at corner back. His display of fielding and tackling and his overall work rate promises much for the future. The final whistle saw St Brigid’s qualify for the Cup Semi-Final against the second of the St Paul’s teams, and an impressive unit which had earlier triumphed by a single point against a fancied St Galls team.
After a short rest, St Brigid’s took on the confident looking St Paul’s boys before their local support. The game was a dogged affair in the testing conditions with neither side giving any quarter. However, with Thomas McCarney proving very strong in goal and with the back line of Shay Campbell and Conor Slevin now freshened by the introduction of Ronan Agnew, the St Brigid’s lads were set up to handle the best that St Paul’s could produce. Calum Webb revelled in his role just infront of the backs, with a fine display of fielding despite the adverse conditions Ben Doherty and Paul Bradley showed boundless energy at mid field. The forward line of Eoin Brown and Cian McDonnell was working well together and half time saw St Brigid’s in front. No team changes were called for the second half and ultimately St Brigid’s ran out clear winners despite a very determined St Paul’s performance.
The final saw St Brigid’s facing a Davitt’s team which they had previously beaten at the St Galls Tournament earlier in the year. This game was a much tighter affair. St Brigid’s took an early lead through a fisted goal from Eoin Brown but Davitts defended strongly making scoring difficult. However, the work rate of both sides in the trying conditions was commendable and half time saw St Brigid’s with their nose slightly in front. The second half saw Davitts level the score. However, strong work at mid field from Paul Bradley (who played through the second half despite having fractured his thumb) and Ben Doherty, ably assisted by Calum Webb, Conor Slevin and Ronan Agnew meant that further Davitts attacks were being stifled. Into the latter stages of the match and a long ball from Paul Bradley found Eoin Brown whose long range effort hit the upright only to be latched on to by Cian McDonnell who fisted the ball over the bar to put St Brigid’s ahead. Davitts went on the attack to seek to recover the game but tigerish defending from Conor Slevin and Ronan Agnew meant the effort went wide. Thomas McCarney kicked to mid field were the ball was broken and Shay Campbell put his body on the line to break up another Davitts attack. Into the closing moments and a converted free kick from Eoin Brown placed the game out of Davittts reach. At the final whistle the entire St Brigid’s panel savoured the success as the Jack McCartan Cup was presented to Calum Webb and Eoin Brown as representatives of the Panel in front of a large crowd of supporters.
Many thanks to the St Paul’s Club and to the McCartan family for a well run event and an enjoyable day.
St Brigid’s Panel
Paul Bradley, Ben Doherty, Thomas McCarney, Shay Campbell, Conor Slevin, Patrick McKay, Ronan Agnew, Cian McDonnell, Calum Webb, Eoin Brown, James McKenna, Toirealach Brolly, Marcus Lynch and Jack McGurk.
