St Brigid’s win The Downs U-10 Tournament, Saturday, August 30th 2014

Game 1:  St Brigid’s 0-5,
Gowna 0-5

St Brigid’s
opening game in the tournament was a tough, tight encounter against the
reigning tournament champions Gowna from County Cavan.

In the
opening half, St Brigid’s played with the aid of the wind and started
confidently with fantastic approach play from the midfield pairing of Paddy and
Ewan ensuring quick ball was distributed to the forwards Bobby, Sean, Billy Ray
and Shane, who all won their individual battles to win primary possession.
Bobby in particular showed class and skill in converting the opportunities
created by his teammates into scores. At half time the score was 4 points to 2.
St Brigid’s were dominant in this period and indeed their play deserved a
greater half time lead than 2 points.

In the
second half, Gowna displayed all the characteristics of reigning champions with
a strong comeback. Early in the half St Brigid’ s extended their lead to 3
points with another well taken score from Bobby with some great approach play
from Simon and Brian.  In this period the
St Brigids team were severely tested as the pressure intensified. Crucially
Brigid’s introduced fresh legs with Brendan, Eoin and Robert coming into the
game.

Between the
posts for Brigids, Eanna was strong throughout and ensured that his team kept
possession of the ball. David, Sol and Daniel excelled in their defensive
duties limiting space and denying good scoring opportunities to the Gowna
forwards.

Overall it
was an enjoyable and testing opening game which was played in a very sporting
manner. Both sides were happy to come away with a draw, from what was a tough
encounter.

Team: Eanna
McDonnell, Sol Trundle, Daniel Skehan, David Dolan, Paddy Higgins, Bobby
Nugent, Ewan Joyce, Billy Ray Dolan, Sean Minnock, Shane O’Boyle, Brian
Armstrong, Brendan Murphy, Eoin Reid, Robert Keenan, Simon O’Boyle.

Game 2: St Brigid’s 0-12, Athboy 0-5

In our second game against Athboy,  the lads got off to a fast start mainly thanks
to some fine kick outs from Eanna and registered early scores from Brendan,
Ewan, Luke Sylvestor and Bobby, however Athboy hit back with a few scores
before half time. In the second half, Brigid’s began to dominate with the backs
of Sol, Daniel and Paddy defending excellently and breaking up the field
setting up attacks for both the midfielders and forwards of which Matthew,
Cameron and Robert contributed to some fine scores. As the game entered the
final quarter, Brigid’s were well in control and substitutes Shane, Simon, Luke
Whelan, Thomas and Killian were sprung from the bench to ensure victory over a
very gallant Athboy side.

Team: Eanna McDonnell, Sol Trundle, Daniel Skene, David Dolan, Paddy
Higgins, Ewan Joyce, Bobby Nugent, Robert Keenan, Brendan Murphy, Luke
Sylvestor, Matthew Samuels, Cameron Sheehy, Luke Whelan, Killian Curley, Simon
O’Boyle, Shane O’Boyle, Thomas Muldoon.

Game 3: Kilcock 0-8, St Brigids 0-9

In our 3^rd
Game we played against Kilcock and came away with a narrow 1 pt win. Playing
with the wind in the first half, Brigids opened up a lead of 6 points to 1.
Some great combination play among the forwards opened up the Kilcock defence
for some great scores by Matthew and Bobby.

The second
half looked like a formality, but Kilcock had other ideas and came storming
back into the game.  The Brigids backs
were under tremendous pressure, but superb defending by Daniel, Sol, Eoin,
Paddy, David and goalkeeper Eanna just managed to keep Brigids ahead.

Brigids
were depending on breakaway attacks for scores, and managed to work the ball forward
to sneak 3 crucial scores.  These scores
involved great movement and passing by Shane, Simon, Brian, Killian, Billy Ray,
Sean and Thomas.  Cameron and Euan, who
were rested for this game came on in the end and steadied the ship and Brigids
just managed to hang on and qualified for the final against Gowna.

Team: Eanna
McDonnell, Sol Trundle, Daniel Skehan, Paddy Higgins, Bobby Nugent, Brian
Armstrong, Killian Curley, Billy Ray Dolan, Sean Minnock, Thomas Muldoon, Eoin
Reid, Shane O’Boyle, Simon O’Boyle, Matthew Samuals, Cameron Sheehy and Ewan
Joyce.

Final: St Brigid’s 0-10, Gowna 0-5

The final
against the holders of thecCup, Gowna, was a repeat of the first game of the
day.  Brigid’s elected to play against
the strong wind in the first half. Straight from the off, Brigid’s went on the
attack and a lovely pass from Matthew, set up Luke Whelan, who slotted over a
lovely point into the wind. Gowna replied with two points, before Bobby
levelled the scores with a point from a difficult angle.  Gowna pulled 2 more points ahead, and looked
like opening up a big lead before half time. However, Paddy, David, Daniel,
Sean and Sol defended magnificently and ensured Gowna did not get any easy
scores. Bobby replied with a further point just before half time to keep just
one between the teams at the break. 
Playing into the wind in the second half was a big advantage after 4
hard games and goalkeeper Eanna ensured that Brigid’s had every advantage with
some brilliant kick outs which always found a teammate.  Ewan and Shane started to dominate midfield
and kept a plentiful supply of ball going into the forwards. Killian’s movement
created some lovely scores for Matthew and Luke Sylvestor. As the Gowna lads
began to tire, Brigid’s fresh legs kept up the pressure and the scores began to
follow. Brendan, Thomas, Simon, Shane and Robert were playing brilliantly and
Gowna just had no answer to the movement and shooting of the Brigid’s
forwards.  In the end, Brigid’s won by 5
points, thanks to the efforts of all 21 players, who all made a significant
contribution.

Team: Eanna
McDonnell, Sol Trundle, Daniel Skehan, David Dolan, Paddy Higgins, Bobby
Nugent, Ewan Joyce, Killian Curley, Sean Minnock, Eoin Reid, Shane O’Boyle,
Simon O’Boyle, Matthew Samuals,  Luke
Sylvestor. Luke Whelan, Brendan Murphy, Thomas Muldoon, Robert Keenan.