u14s battle bravely away to St Paul's

TUESDAY 10TH MAY was the date of the u14s first ever league match.It took place away to St Paul’s on a beautiful evening for football and what a shock the hosts got! St.Brigid’s got off to a flying start through a fine point from Catherine McAuley who was excellent throughout. St Paul’s star midfielder,the gifted Mairead Cooper,responded with an equally good point after a penetrating run from midfield.This marked some early pressure from St Paul’s who were kept at bay by the outstanding Katey McMullan at full back.This versatile player treated the spectators to a fine display of catching and fielding throughout the game.
St Brigid’s went ahead again with a well taken goal from Aoife Montague and a very competetive first half ended with an equalising goal from St Paul’s to leave both sides level at the break.
Aided by a stiffening breeze and perhaps by the audible robust team talk given by their manager,St Paul’s attacked from the restart and eventually the tide swung their way and they ran out eventual winners with a final score of 4 – 3 to 1-2.St Brigid’s battled to the very end with Anna Finnegan and Niamh O’Hare superb at midfield and they covered every blade of grass.Anna set up a series of attacks and scored a well deserved point herself whilst Niamh marshalled Mairead Cooper and kept her quiet for large periods of the match.St Brigid’s were unlucky when Aoife Montague’s shot ricocheted off the cross bar only to be scrambled clear.
This was a tough but sporting encounter and this St Brigid’s team is improving all the time.Greg Finnegan is a very welcome addition to the coaching team and had a baptism of fire in making his debut at his lifelong club with whom he achieved so many honours including county status. Another debutant was Caoimhe Shepard who gave a tenacious display at corner forward and along with Aoife McCann and Claire Brennan kept the St Paul’s backline on their toes.Above all this was a team performance with each player showing immense committment and determination right until the final whistle.