Naomh Brid 4-7 St Joseph’s Glenavy 5-4
St Brigid’s senior ladies got their season off to a fine start after an excellent performance at the YMCA in atrocious conditions. After a late pitch inspection (and an hour of rain!) the Malone ladies managed to do what Armagh, Dublin, Down, Limerick, Donegal and Tyrone (MEN!) couldn’t do at different times over the weekend. Play a game.
It took a last kick of the game goal from Glenavy to deny the young home girls what would have been a deserved victory but a draw is a great improvement on the same fixture last year. Indeed given the home girls have had no outdoor sessions to date last night’s game gives great heart for the season ahead.
Right from the off St Brigid’s worked hard but against the run of play the visitors got a goal against the unfortunate Anna McKeever in goals. (Mc Kendry is ruthless and replaced her with cousin Rose McKeogh shortly after!) This really is a family affair. Cousin no 2 and Ulster player Catherine Mullan was working tirelessly in midfield and driving at Glenavy. Cousin no 3 Mary Keenan wanted some attention so she dived at an opponent and landed in the second largest puddle on the pitch and confirmed that the water was wet! Cousin No4 Alice was warm in the comfort on the sideline as she realised that you cannot play with one boot!
Back to the action, Bronagh McKendry who was the player of the match, was excellent at full back also took a hand at swimming!
Despite all the pressure St Brigid’s racked up wide after wide before Aoife Montague got the home team off the mark with a pointed free.
Mulligan and Canavan, McConville and McDonnell, Egan and Sheehy, Stockwell and Purcell, Frank McGuigan and….. well it was just Frank! Anyway many sets of terrible twins have graced the pitches but St Brigid’s own set of Anna Finnegan and Aoife Montague were the main scorers on the night. Finnegan is back to her brilliant best and her score taking was supreme. A hat trick of goals just reward for her work rate.
Kate Finnegan was in excellent form doing the simple things well. Defending with confidence and strength she along with Jenny McMullan and Brongah McKendry held a very strong visiting full forward line.
Katie McMullan showed no signs of her aching limbs from snow boarding but at the end of the game it looked more like boogie boarding.
Eimear McKenna was a rock at centre half back all through the game. As the game moved on Aoibhe McCann got a grip in midfield against the very tall international netballer. Both Eimear and Aoibhe played superbly.
Caoimhe Sheppard, Catherin MacAuley and the excellent Aine McKendry worked tirelessly at half forward.
Caoimhe McCullagh made an excellent return from her year playing soccer and made an excellent contribution from full forward.
Hannah McGrath worked really hard when introduced in the second half and will have a big part to play in both the minor and senior teams. Ruth Prenter managed to dodge the puddles and feed the tireless Mullan who was getting very close attention from the opposition. Alice and Jocelyn both enjoyed watching from the side.
Many thanks to an excellent referee and to our new Shirt Sponsor BTWCairns.
Training 6.50pm Wednesday 2 April YMCA (outdoor kit and water bottle and friend)
