St Brigid’s started very slowly in this tense quarter-final championship match against St Paul’s. Playing against a very tall team with four Antrim U-16s St Brigid’s were still prepared to take the game to St Paul’s even though the visitors were very much the underdogs. In a low scoring 20 minute period St Paul’s registered the first two points. However St Brigid’s began to dominate midfield and after 4 or 5 wides registered their first point through Chris Donnelly. Two points from captain McCrudden and Stephen McAleer saw the visitors edge in front. However St Brigid’s were later to rue their missed early scoring chances when the St Paul’s number 8 scored a point and a lucky goal. Another point from the big St Paul’s midfielder saw the home team in a five point lead. Despite this setback the visitors kept plugging away. More wasted chances were followed by a superb move which ended with Daniel McKeever burying the ball in the net. St Brigid’s were back in it.
Half Time Score: St Paul’s 1-5 St Brigid’s 1-3
Positional changes by the home side saw three quick scores in the second half which knocked the confidence of the visitors. Unfortunately two of those scores were goals which were fortuitous to say the least. St Brigid’s however never gave up trying. St Paul’s registered two wides which were claimed by the home umpire as points, it is sad to see such gamesmanship at this level.
Two points from Chris Donnelly and Michael Malone were the only returns for the visitors in the second half. There were many goalscoring chances but unfortunatly St Brigid’s were not getting the rub of the green.
Playing against a much stronger and older team St Brigid’s gave an excellent account of themselves and the scoreline does not reflect the commitment and effort put in. Most of the panel will still be available next year for the U-16 championship so this match can be used as a learning experience.
Final Score: St Paul’s 3-11 St Brigid’s 1-5
David Brennan playing for the first time in goals pulled off three wonder-saves in the first half, to keep St Brigid’s in the game. Ciaran Mackle had his customary solid performance in corner back. Mr.Versatile Michael Malone was at full back and his kick-outs were hitting midfield everytime. Richard Kervick playing his first championship match gave a tenacious performance. Luke McGread has been without doubt the best improved player on the panel and his game on Thursday night shows why he is one of the first names on the team sheet. At centre half back Thomas McKeogh missed nothing, the fact that his player didn’t get on the scoresheet reflects Thomas’ performance. Ably assisting Thomas in defensive duties was Ben Sinnott again playing his first championship match. Hard, solid and dependable, Ben never lets you down.
Getting used to his new role on the team in midfield Matthew Edgar battled courageously for the cause throughout the 60minutes, he never flinched from any tackle. Man of the match performance as one would expect from a captain, Tim McCrudden man marked St Paul’s star player. On Thursday Timothy had been informed that he had made it to the final selection in the Antrim U-16 panel. This is the first time St Brigid’s have ever had a player on an Ulster panel. Tim is making History, well done. Stephen O’Brien gave another 100% effort and can count himself unlucky not to have got on the scoring sheet. Chris Donnelly had been earmarked by St Paul’s as one of the St Brigid’s dangermen and rightly so. Giving a tough, tireless show Chris felt bitterly disappointed at the end. Chris Mooney was given a roving role at left half forward, he caused countless problems to the St Paul’s half back line and on another ocassion many of his superb passes could have acheived the results they deserved. Matthew Kelly gave an honest, selfless team display at right corner forward. Stephen McAleer was playing out of position at centr
