See under Gallery for a delighted u12s football squad lifting the plate at Carryduff’s Annual Tournament last Saturday, beating Carryduff B and Lisnaskea on the way.
St Brigids were represented at the Carryduff U12 tournament last Saturday with a squad made up primarily of the Division 2 side and the boys did themselves and the club proud by winning the Division 4 shield.
The number of pool games was reduced to 2 when St Teresa’s were unable to take part at the last minute. This meant that St Brigids were up against the A teams from Bredagh and St Galls. Although both matches were lost the south Belfast boys up two strong performances, especially in the first half of each game. In both second halves however the opposition took their scoring chances and while St Brigids battled with determination, scores were hard to come by.
This outcome put us in the equally paired Div 3 / 4 afternoon league. In our section we had to play hosts Carryduff and Lisnaskea if we were to come with any silverware.
St Brigids V Carryduff
We watched the first game of the section as Carryduff beat Lisnaskea. However when they faced the boys in blue the hosts were overrun by a powerful display which was far and away the best of the day so far. Tom Morrissey and Tom Dunford dominated midfield, and their work rate together with long range kickouts from Rory Brolly meant that our forward line was well provided for.
Conor Slevin was playing in the full forward line and was magnificent over both afternoon games. Lochlainn Quinn opened the scoring for St Brigids with a long range point before a James Mckenna goal put us firmly in control of proceedings. Further first half points came from Dunford, Ciaran Muldoon and Slevin. Carryduff had possession but a best ever performance from Ryan Austin, alongside Ben Doherty, Brian McCarthy and Peter Heaney meant they got little reward for their effort and they finished the first half with 1 point.
In the second half Carryduff did get a goal which was immediately answered with 3 points in a row from Conor Slevin (2) and Tom Dunford, before Patrick McCann fed Thomas McCarney who palmed to the net Barry Breen style. That finished the game on a scoreline of Carryduff 1.1, Naomh Brid 2.8
St Brigids V Lisnaskea
This was a tighter match, and while dominant in possession St Brigids hit the woodwork on 3 occasions which meant that the Fermanagh men were always in with a chance. Conor Slevin opened the scoring with a long range point which came at the end of a 5 man move started on our own full back line and involving Ryan Austin, Ruari McDonnell, Tom Morrissey, Patrick Doran and Michael Canavan.
The score of the day followed when Slevin fielded superbly in the forward line and blasted to the net. Lisnaskea did respond but again Brolly minded the net superbly well and they only registered 2 points before Thomas McCarney scored his second goal of the day with a left foot shot. The scoring for the day, and the tournament, was rounded off by Conor Mulgrew who sent over a long range free after he was fouled around the midfield area.
Final score Naomh Brid 2.2 Lisnaskea 0.3
A superb afternoon display from 17 St Brigids footballers. With thanks to Carryduff who organised a terrific tournament, and even the rain stayed away. Thanks to all Naomh Brid mentors and parents who supported the boys.
Squad: Rory Brolly Ryan Austin Ben Doherty Peter Heaney Tom Morrissey Tom Dunford James McKenna C Muldoon Lochlainn Quinn Conor Slevin Thomas McCarney Conor Mulgrew Ruari McDonnell Patrick McCann Michael Canavan Patrick Doran
