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St Brigids versus St Finnians of Swords in Championship Semi-Final - Sun, 15 Aug 2004

St Brigids 1-13 St Fininans of Swords 3-6

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St Brigids survived a second half comeback in this hum dinger of a tie to defeat St Finnian?s of Swords and advance to the Junior D Championship Final. Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance but it was the St Brigids forwards who proved more clinical on the night. Their unselfishness proved the deciding factor in this thoroughly exciting contest. The game was played in true championship passion and the tackles were flying in left right and centre. The referee at times lacked the authority to stamp his mark on the game and several dubious decisions were made during the match.

Midfield was a real battleground with both sides keenly contesting. The game started at lightning pace. St Brigids raced into an early lead with five unanswered points. Wing forward Keith Maurice opening the scoring with a lofted point after a fantastic catch from Ian Craven in midfield.  Neil Plunkett added another point within minutes after some fine interlinking play between Fred Lynam & Paul Whitty down the left wing. Lynam and Whitty slicing through the Finnian?s defence to leave Plunkett with the easiest of tasks to score.  Finnians were beginning to get a foothold in the game and St Brigids sensed this as they piled forward at any given opportunity. St Brigids forwards were proving a handful for St Finnians as St Brigids constantly drove forward. Fred Lynam added another point from close range after some great fielding from Ian Sheedy in the full forward line to lay off to the on running Lynam who lofted the ball over the bar off his left. St Brigids were motoring and John Dunning soon added to the score of the game. Centre back Dunning pointing from 55 yards out to really rouse the crowd. St Finnians were struggling in midfield as the presence of Ian Craven was proving too much for the far younger St Finnians midfield duo. St Brigids added another score through man of the match Paul Whitty as he broke free from his marker to slot over of the bar from 14 yards. St Finnians were in trouble as they were failing to cope with St Brigids midfield and forwards. St Finnians reacted to St Brigids dominance in midfield as they moved corner forward Naill Noughtan to midfield to act as a third midfielder. His presence was felt immediately as St Finnians registered their first score of the game. Centre forward Mickey Fallon blasting the ball to net to leave two points between the teams. St Finnians were rallying and they soon reduced their deficit to one point as corner forward Neil Shelly pointed from the left wing.

St Brigids responded within minutes to the Finnians onslaught, corner forward Ian Sheedy finding the back of the back from the most acute angle off his left foot. Sheedy fielding a high ball on the edge of the square and breaking free from the shackles of his marker to finish the ball to the net. This goal lifted St Brigids as they found renewed confidence. Two points from Paul Whitty pushed St Brigids further ahead. Whitty was proving a real handful for St Finnians with his pace and off the ball running. Ian Sheedy added another point to his tally as St Brigids drove forward. Sheedy fisting over the bar after fine work from Brian Murphy, breaking the ball to Sheedy leaving Sheedy with the simplest of tasks. St Brigids lead was further stretched to eight points with wing forward Keith Morris pointing from close range. With half time approaching, St Brigids were in the driving seat but the St Finnians fight back started. Full forward Anthony Lynch fisting to the net after indecisive play in the St Brigids back line.  

Finnians started the second half as they finished the first half. Wing forward Noel Gill pointing within seconds of the restart. It was at this point that the Finnians started to dominate the midfield sector and St Brigids seemed to lack the gears to go with them. Finnians tagged on three points in quick succession to reduce St Brigids lead to two points. The game was in the melting pot. St Brigids needed to respond to the Finnians onslaught. The team responded especially the St Brigids defence who fought tenaciously to defend their two-point lead. Finnians missed several opportunities to reduce their arrears during their period of dominance, would they be opportunities missed that they would roe after the game? St Brigids responded with two fine points from Fred Lynam and Paul Whitty to lengthen their lead to four points. Lynam ghosting in from the right wing to point from 35 yards. Whitty added to his already impressive tally, breaking free from his marker to receive a pinpoint accurate ball from Keith Morris and slot over with ease. With time running out, St Finnians drove forward in waves and St Brigids were under real pressure. With minutes remaining St Finnians reduced St Brigids lead to two points. Lynch and Shelly were proving a real handful. St Brigids responded within minutes as substitute Eoin O Sullivan was dragged down just outside of the St Finnians 21 yard line. Whitty stepped up with calmness personified to slot the ball over the bar. This looked like it was the insurance point. Three points up with injury time only remaining.
 
St Finnians never gave up as St Brigids tenaciously defeated their three-point lead. Goalkeeper David Brooks making several spectacular saves to keep the St Brigids lead in tact. St Finnians were applying real pressure and they were soon rewarded for their persistent pressure as they found the back of the net through third midfielder Naill Noughtan. St Brigids were stunned but they soon found their feet. Ian Craven raising high to pluck the ball from the air to feed Fred Lynam who found Eoin O Sullivan. O Sullivan twisting and turning to find Paul Whitty who pointed from the most acute angle to send St Brigids through to the Championship Final.

St Brigids: David Brookes, Declan Hanley, Colm O Brien, Paul Brady, David Smith, John Dunning, Pierce O'Connor, Stan Kevlehan, Ian Craven, Keith Morris, Fred Lynam, Neil Plunkett, Paul Whitty, Brian Murphy, Ian Sheedy.

Scorers: Paul Whitty 0-6, Ian Sheedy 1-1, Keith Morris 0-2, Fred Lynam 0-2, John Dunning 0-1, Neil Plunkett 0-1

Sub Used: Paul Sheedy, Eoin O Sullivan

Half Time: St Brigids 1-9 St Finnians 2-1

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