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U21 Footballers versus Kilmacud Crokes in Championship

St Brigids 1-9 Kilmacud Crokes 1-6

A second-half goal from James Brogan paved the way for a three-point St. Brigid's victory in this absorbing U-21 championship preliminary round clash last Saturday.

In a tight game at Russell Park, Crokes put it up to the hosts for long periods, before Brogan shot home in convincing fashion after a fine pass from Willie Tyrell to leave Brigid's 1-6 to 1-5 up with ten minutes remaining.

And buoyed by that score, the Saints finished the game much the stronger, as Willie Corbett, Alan Bernie and John Noonan all dissected the uprights to hand Brigid's a hard-fought victory.

It certainly wasn't a stroll for the hosts, as Crokes had proved worthy opponents and looked comfortable when leading by 1-5 to 0-5 midway through the second half.

But to their credit, Brigid's dug deep to re-capture the form they showed for much of the first half and as the likes of Noonan, David Redmond, Des Carolan and Mickah Brady dominated in the middle of the park, they produced their strong finish to run out deserved winners.

The Russell Park outfit dominated the opening fifteen minutes of the contest, and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after impressive scores from Noonan (2) and Brogan as the Brigid's attack flourished.

They should have pulled further clear, but the woodwork prevented them from doing so as Brogan struck the post after a glorious passage of play that also included Noonan and Tyrell.

However, Brigid's weren't to score for the ensuing 25 minutes, as Crokes completely took over and hit 1-4 to hold a four-point lead ten minutes into the second half (1-4 to 0-3).

The Crokes midfield were dominant during that period, and if it hadn't been for some resolute defending by players such as Redmond, Colin Freeman and Joey Twomey, the southsiders would have been further clear.

Brigid's finally ended their scoring drought through an easy Noonan free, and the centre-half forward tipped over twice more from placed balls in the ensuing exchanges to leave the Saints two points adrift with ten minutes remaining (1-5 to 0-6).

Brogan's goal arrived seconds later, as he shot low to the right hand corner of the net after being picked out in glorious fashion by Tyrell.

It was all Brigid's thereafter, as Corbett, Noonan and Bernie dissected the uprights in the dying stages to hand the Saints a hard-fought yet deserved three-point victory.

Scorers: St. Brigid's: J Noonan 0-6 (4f), J Brogan 1-1, W Corbett, A Bernie 0-1 each.

St. Brigid's: G Rogers; B Smith, D Dineen, K Fox; C Freeman, D Redmond, J Twomey; D Carolan, M Brady; W Tyrell, J Noonan, W Corbett; A Nolan, J Brogan, P McAvinue. Sub: A Bernie for McAvinue.

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