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Junior Hurlers versus St Brendans in Millar Sheild - Sun, 7 Nov 2004

St Brigids 2-8 St Brendans 1-6

St Brigids 2-8 St Brendans 1-6

St Brigids deservedly won this Miller Shield Cup encounter but were made work very hard for their victory. The game had an extra edge to it due to the fact that St Brigids had already knocked St Brendan's out of the Junior Hurling Championship earlier this year. St Brendan's, were also vying for top spot in the Miller Shield Group table but if beaten by St Brigids, St Brendan's season would be over.

St Brigids played with the aid of a very stiff breeze in the first half and knew that they would have to build up a sizeable lead if they were to cope with the St Brendan's onslaught in the second half. St Brendan?s started the better of the two sides looking the sharper. St Brendan's were first to the sliotar and were winning the majority of the breaks in the midfield sector. Although St Brendan's started the better of the two sides, St Brendan's missed several opportunities to build up an early lead and St Brigids punished St Brendan?s for their early misses. St Brigids fired over two quick points to lead by two after eight minutes. Full forward Neil Plunkett was proving a handful for the St Brendan's defence as his mazy runs carved open their defence. Brian Hanley opened the scoring after Plunkett broke down a high ball for Hanley to run onto and fire over the bar. Plunkett soon followed up Hanley's point with a well-taken point from the right wing. Brendan's kept on battling but couldn't get a foothold in the game. St Brigids midfield pairing of David Smith & Ali Waters were impressing with their high work-rate, never letting the St Brendan's midfield settle. Brigids charged further ahead with two well-taken points. David Smith slotting over a 30 yard from the left wing and Brendan Farrell scoring the point of the game from 55 yards out on the left wing. The build up play was excellent with David Smith breaking through several challenges before picking out the unmarked Farrell with a sublime 40-yard cross-field ball.

St Brendan's seemed stunned but soon found their feet. Brendan's found the back of the net after some fine work but big centre forward John Toddy. Toddy, smashing the sliotar home from close range. St Brigids the tempo after their lead was cut to the minimum. The St Brigids solid back line began to get to grips with the St Brendan's forwards and the St Brigids half back line began to launch attack upon attack. Centre half back John Dunning leading by example with his trademark runs through the centre of the St Brendan's defence. St Brigids forwards were very clinical and their movement spread-eagled the St Brendan's defence at times when supplied with quality ball. Brigids responded to the Brendan's in the best fashion possible when Neil Plunkett rifled the ball to the net after fielding the sliotar on the 20-yard line and breaking two challenges before finishing the sliotar to the bottom right corner. Brigids added further to their lead when David Smith slotted over from distance. St Brendan's responded immediately with a point but still trailed by five points a half time.

St Brendan's registered the first score of the second half after 2 minutes when Toddy fired over from the left wing. St Brendan's midfield began to get a foothold in the centre of the field and Brigids needed to match St Brendan?s renewed challenge. St Brendan's within minutes reduced the St Brigids lead to two when Karl Walsh fired over two points. Walsh was proving dangerous with mazy piercing runs through the centre of the St Brigids defence. This score gave St Brendan's renewed confidence but St Brigids really knuckled down to the task and were soon rewarded for their hard work. Darragh Carolan scoring a goal from close range after some slick running from centre-back John Dunning. St Brigids introduced several substitutes at this stage. The substitutes further strengthening the team especially the versatile Sean Keegan. Charlie Carter also showed up well in the full forward line showing the same skill as his namesake in Kilkenny.  Brendan Farrell capped a great performance by tagging on two further points to seal St Brendan's faith. St Brendan's responded with a late point but they were no-match for an young  & improving St Brigids side.

St Brigids: Keith O'Neill, JD Mulcahy, David Brooks, Cian O Connor, Willa Corbett, John Dunning, Aidan O Leary, Ali Waters, David Smith, Darragh Carolan, Seamus Lynam, Brendan Farrell, Stephen Dunning, Neil Plunkett, Brian Hanley

Scorers: Neil Plunkett 1-2, Darragh Carolan 1-0, Brendan Farrell 0-3, David Smith 0-2, Brian Hanley 0-1
 
Subs: Ger Byrne, Sean Keegan, Charlie Charter and Colm O?Brien
 
Half Time: St Brigids 1-6 St Brendans 1-1

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