U14 Boys SA Div 2 verses Setanta

St Brigids young U14 B squad continued their Div 2 campaign tonight when a stirring second half revival saw the boys fall short in a defeat to Setanta at St Teresa’s.
The St Brigids boys started too slowly and by the time they got a foothold in the game the hosts were ahead 2.2 to no score, and this period included some goalmouth heroics from Keeper Reuben Carleton, aided by full back Thomas McCarney who was flanked by Conor O’Hagan and Patrick Magee. In fact this head start for Setanta was to prove crucial in the end.
By midway through the first half Ronan Boyle and John O’Sullivan began to win some vital possession between the half back and half forward line and St Brigids made some penetrative moves deep into Setanta territory, assisted by Michael Canavan who lined out at corner forward but was dropping deep to collect some pinpoint passes. Ryan Austin and James McKenna grew into the game as the first half wore on, and Conor Mulgrew began to fight harder for possession in the left half back possession, joined too by Marcus Lynch.
Patrick Doran was helping to retain possession too and Jack McGurk was frustrating his marker with some elusive and string running. St Brigids pressure began to pay off and in fact we scored the last 3 points of the first half; from the boot of Ronan Boyle and James McKenna who landed one terrific long range free followed quickly by a pointed ’45. At half time the south Belfast side were 5.3 to 0.3 behind.
The second half was a different story. Rather than humbly accepting defeat every single player increased their workrate and improved their decision taking on the ball. The result was a period of sustained pressure for a 15 minute period during which Marcus, James, Ryan and Lochlain Quinn were involved in some excellent passing moves. Our first score of the half came from such a move and was finished expertly to the net by James O’Rourke. Two quick goals from Lochlain Quinn followed, one from a neat pass from Jack and the other a traditional style high catch and shot. Eddie Devlin had come on by now and he was next on the scoresheet with a fine point before Michael Canavan bravely grabbed a further St Brigids goal, injuring himself in the process.
By now Patrick O’Hagan had joined the fray and Joe McCarney and Eoin McKernan had come into tighten up the defence also. Thomas McCarney was at the heart of much of St Brigids passing movements and at this period – with Setanta yet to score in the second half – the game was in the balance.
However the exertion began to tell and in the last 5 minutes Setanta began to re assert pressure of their own, finishing with the last two scores, a goal and a point.
The effort all round was above reproach, and although exam preparation and injury has taken its toll on the squad, each member of the squad played a huge game here and ensured that the team was competitive throughout.
Thanks to Setanta for hosting a competitive, tough but good natured game which they won 6.7 to 4.4
St Brigids Squad
Reuben Carleton
Patrick Magee
Thomas McCarney
Conor O’Hagan
Conor Mulgrew
Marcus Lynch
Ronan Boyle
James McKenna
Ryan Austin
John O’Sullivan
Lochclain Quinn
Patrick Doran
Michael Canavan
James O’Rourke
Jack McGurk
Joe McCarney
Eddie Devlin
Patrick O’Hagan
Eoin Mckernan