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Junior 3s versus Whitehall Colmcilles - Sun, 5 Sep 2004

St Brigids 2-6 Whitehall Colmcilles 1-9

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St Brigids survived a second half comeback in this hum dinger of a tie to draw with Whitehall Colmcilles and maintain their unbeaten run in the league. Both teams were unbeaten with one hundred percent records entering this game and the tension could be sensed. It was the league decider. Only two games remained after today?s encounter.  St Brigids would have to be disappointed after racing seven points clear with fifteen minutes remaining but Whitehall never gave up. Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance with both sets of forwards proving a handful for their respective defending opponents. The opening quarter of the game was tension filled with both teams eager not to make any mistakes. 

Brigids knew they were in for a tough afternoon from the outset as Whitehall opened their accounts with seconds of the throw-in. Wing forward Conor Saunders beautifully striking over from a free. Kevin Bonfil and Tim Groake were struggling to win possession in midfield. Nevertheless, the visitors battled away and responded through scores from impressive corner forward Willa Corbett (2). Whitehall were not to be out done as they began to get a stranglehold on midfield. Whitehall raced back into the lead with points from their out standing fill forward Mick Kennedy. Kennedy was a constant threat with his well-timed angled runs. Kennedy running onto a ball in the right corner and holding off the challenge of tenacious full-back John Duffy to point from close range. Whitehall were well on top at this stage but St Brigids lifted their game to end to the first half with a surge. Two answered points from Alan Beirne and Willa Corbett left the minimum between the sides at the break.

The second started at lightning pace. Whitehall levelled up the game within minutes of the throw-in as wingback John Tobin pointed from the tightest of angles.  St Brigids responded within minutes with their most impressive period of play. Willa Corbett blasting the ball to net after some great skill in midfield from Kevin Bonfil. Bonfil jumping highest to win the Whitehall kick out and supplying a high ball into the St Brigids full forward line. Full forward Alan Beirne broke the ball to the on running Willa Corbett who finished the ball to the net in style.  Minutes later St Brigids hit the back of the net. Willa Corbett punting a high ball into the Whitehall full back line. Fred Lynam jumping highest to win the ball and supply corner Paul Whitty who found the top left hand corner of the Whitehall net in sublime fashion to put the Saints six points up after 15 minutes (2-4 to 0-4).

 St Brigids were winning all breaks in midfield, as Whitehall seemed stunned. Willie O Donnell put St Brigids further ahead with a great individual score. O Donnell blocking down Whitehall midfielder John Rafferty and sprinting down the left wing. O Donnell supplied Paul Whitty with a beautiful and continued his run. Whitty returned the ball into the path of O Donnell who slotted the ball over the bar. The game descended into something of a lull in the ensuing minutes, but Whitehall began to show signed of a revival with the introduction of several subs.

Whitehall refused to accept their fate, and ensured a tension-filled conclusion when Saunders burst the net with five minutes from time. To their credit, Whitehall refused to lie down, and re-created the form they showed early in the first half to hit an unanswered 1-4 in the remaining fifteen minutes to draw level. Brigids managed to hold out and guaranteed that the league will go down to the wire with only two games remaining.

St Brigids: Donal Donnelly, Brian Smyth, John Duffy, Tony Hughes, Collie Freeman, Al Hughes, Willie O'Donnell, Kev Bonfil, Tim Groake, Stephen Cassidy, Seamus Lynam, Ciaran Brennan,Willa Corbett, Al Beirnie, Paul Whitty

Scorers: Willa Corbett 1-3, Paul Whitty 1-0, Al Beirnie 0-2, and Willie O'Donnell 0-1

Sub Used: Keith Fox for Tim Groake, Eoin O' Sullivan for Ciaran Brennan, Neil Plunkett for Stephen Cassidy

Half Time: St Brigids 0-4 Whitehall 0-3

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