You are Here: Home>Match Reports>2005

Printer Friendly Version of this Page   Contact Us   SiteMap

Junior 8's defeat Round Tower to top League Table - Thu, 16 Jun 2005

St Brigid's 3-5 Round Towers 1-7

St Brigid's staged a miraculous second half comeback in this hum dinger of a tie to defeat Round Towers of Clondalkin 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. There was a real edge to the game as St Brigid's had already beaten Round Towers the previous year to claim the League Title. St Brigid's wasted numerous chances to build up a lead in the opening half but were punished by Round Towers for their erratic shooting.  St Brigid's would have been disappointed if they lost the game because the dominated for long periods but just couldn't make it count. St Brigid's kept plugging away and eventually got going & cut open the Round Tower's defence to fire home three crucial goals in the final fifteen minutes. Round Towers led by 6 points with fifteen minutes remaining but St Brigid's never gave up. St Brigid's showed real character to fight back and give this victory gives them a timely boost ahead of their Championship encounter against Raneleagh Gaels.

The opening quarter of the game was tension filled with both teams eager not to make any mistakes. St Brigid's opened the scoring through corner-forward Andy Kavanagh when he reacted quickest to a broken ball inside the 21 to fire over. St Brigid's knew they were in for a tough afternoon when Round Towers replied almost immediately. Midfielder Sean Lynch beautifully striking over from a free. Ian Craven and Stan Kevlehan were dominating in midfield for St Brigid's but Round Towers defence stood firm. Round Towers defence was proving a tough net to crack and the visitors soon raced into a four-point lead with the aid of a superb 45' from midfielder Sean Lynch and a somewhat fortunate goal which deflected off two players to leave goalkeeper David Chance with no chance.

Nevertheless, St Brigid's battled away and responded with scores from impressive wing back Brian Kelly and centre forward Keith Fox. Kelly sprinted down the wing-back and passed to Gerry Bryne who played a beautiful return ball to Kelly who fired over off his left boot. Keith Fox fired over a perfectly measured free from 35 yards after full forward Keith Morris was fouled. St Brigid's ended the half two points down after dominating the exchanges but were they going to rue their missed chances?

St Brigid's started the second brightly but still could not register the scores needed to get the team going. Round Towers were not to be out done as they began to get a stranglehold on midfield. Towers raced further ahead with points from their out standing centre forward John Roberts. Roberts was a constant threat with his well-timed angled runs. Roberts running onto a ball in the right corner and holding off the challenge of tenacious centre-back John Dunning to point from close range. Towers had hit a purple patch and added two further points through Roberts. It was at this point that the St Brigid's management decided to introduce several subs and they duly added an extra dimension to the attack.
 
Towers were well on top at this stage but St Brigid's lifted their game to end to the second half with a real surge. Brian Kelly pointing from distance after some great running by Gerry Byrne and John Dunning to carve open the Towers defence. St Brigid's could sense a weakness in the Towers defence when they ran at them. Towers weren't comfortable with the early ball and off the ball running of the St Brigid's forwards. The break eventually came when Andy Kavanagh broke free of several challenges to pass to the on rushing Stephen Quigley to fire to the net leaving three between the sides.

St Brigid's were running at the Towers defence at lightning pace causing all sorts of problems. The leveller eventually came after several minutes of pressure when Podge O Reilly rifled the ball to the right corner from 14 yards. Its becoming a trademark of Podge's by now. St Brigid's most impressive period of play continued further. Stephen Quiqley blasting the ball to net after some great skill in midfield from Stan Kevlehan. Kevlehan jumping highest to win the St Brigid's kick out and supplying a high ball into the St Brigid's full forward line. Corner forward Andy Kavanagh broke the ball to the on running Keith O Neill who supplied Stephen Qiuqley with a beautifully angled ball for Quiqley to finish the ball to the net in style.  Minutes later St Brigid's edged further ahead when Quiqley pointed. Keith Fox jumping highest to win the ball and supply Quiqley who rifled over to seal victory for St Brigid's.

Round Towers refused to accept their fate but resolute defending from St Brigid's especially Ian Sheedy who blocked an almost certain goal from close range preserved St Brigid's position at the top of the league table.

St Brigid's: David Brooks, Declan Hanley, Ciaran Byrne, Stephen Dunning, Pearse O'Connor, John Dunning, Brian Kelly, Stan Kevlehan, Ian Craven, Ian Sheedy, Keith Fox, Neil Plunkett, Kenny Reilly, Keith Morris, Andy Kavanagh

Scorers: S Quiqley 2-1, P O Reilly 1-0, Brian Kelly 0-2, Andy Kavanagh, and Keith Fox 0-1 each

Subs Used: G Byrne for C Byrne, S Quiqley for K Morris, P O Reilly for I Craven, K O Neill for K O Reilly

Half Time: St Brigid's 0-3 Round Towers 1-2 

Return To Previous Page