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Junior 8 Footballers defeat St Vincents to advance to Championship Final - Tue, 27 Sep 2005

St Brigid's 1-8 St Vincents 1-6

St Brigid's 1-8 St Vincents 1-6

St Brigid's survived a second half comeback in this hum dinger of a tie to advance to the Junior Championship Final where they will meet Round Towers of Clondalkin. St Brigid's expected a very tough game from St Vincents and they got exactly that. St Brigid's were aiming to be back in the Championship Final for the second year in a row. St Brigid's were made to work very hard in the closing quarter after racing four points clear with fifteen minutes remaining but St Vincents never gave up. St Vincents tagged St Brigid's back to level pegging with five minutes remaining but St Brigid's superior determination and astute substitutions made the difference. Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance with both sets of forwards proving a handful for their respective defending opponents at times.

The opening quarter of the game was tension filled with both teams eager not to make any mistakes. St Vincents knew they were in for a tough afternoon from the outset as Brigid's opened their account within seconds of the throw-in. Corner forward Keith Morris beautifully striking over from a free. Ian Craven and Stan Kevlehan were winning possession in midfield with ease and supplying the sharper St Brigid's forwards with ample ball.

St Brigid's raced three points ahead with two well-taken points resulting from decisive passing and off the ball running. The Corner forward paring of Keith Morris and Enda were proving to be real live threats with their speed and off the ball running. Corner-forward Enda Brady reacting quickest to a broken ball inside the twenty-one to fire over. Ian Craven added another point to the tally when beautifully lofting over off his left.

Vincent's were not to be out done as they began to get a stranglehold on midfield. Vincent's raced back into the game with three points from their out standing full forward Mick Tobin. Tobin was a constant threat with his well-timed angled runs. Tobin running onto a ball in the right corner and holding off the challenge of tenacious full-back Ciaran Byrne to point from close range. Vincent's were well on top at this stage but St Brigid's lifted their game to end to the first half with a surge. Full Forward Neil Plunkett scoring a superb goal to leave St Brigid's three points up at the break. Plunkett picked the ball up on the forty and made a b-line for the St Vincent's. Plunkett shipped several hard challenges before calmly finishing to the net.

The second half started at lightning pace. St Brigid's tagging on another point to lead by four. Half back Brian Kelly firing over from distance. Centre back John Dunning showing great vision to pick-out the unmarked Kelly. Vincent's introduced several substitutes at this stage to freshen up their team. They had the desired effect as they hit a purple patch. Vincent's levelled up the game with fifteen minutes remaining.  Sean Warren jumping highest to win the ball and supply wing forward Conor Lynch who found the top left hand corner of the Brigid's net in sublime fashion to put Vincent's right back in the game. Full forward Tobin then pointed to level the game up.

St Brigid's were under pressure but they responded in tremendous fashion with their most impressive period of play. John Dunning out fielding two Vincent's players and darting through the Vincent's back line to earn a free. Keith Morris calmly slotting the free over. Stan Kevlehan added another point when beautifully fielding a ball on the Vincent's twenty one before angling an overhead kick over the bar. Stephen Dunning insured victory for St Brigid's when slotting over off his left when found in space by Ian Sheedy. Vincent's refused to accept their fate but St Brigid's were not going to denied their place in the Championship Final and a second chance to win the Championship after last years narrow one point defeat in the Final.

St Brigid's: D Brooks; P Brady, C Byrne, D Hanley; P O'Connor, J Dunning, B Kelly; S Kevlehan, I Craven; G Byrne, K Fox, D Smith; E Brady, N Plunkett, K Morris.

Scorers: N Plunkett 1-0, K Morris 0-3, S Dunning, B Kelly, E Brady, S Kevlehan and I Craven 0-1 each.

Sub Used: Ian Sheedy for David Smith, Donal Fahy for Ian Craven, Kenny Reilly for Gerry Byrne, Stephen Dunning for Donal Fahy

Half Time: St Brigid's 1-3 St Vincents 0-3

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