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U21 Footballers Reach Champo Semi-Final Edging Out St Vincents in Tight Game - Sun, 22 Nov 2009

St Brigids 0-12 St Vincents 1-5

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RUSSELL PARK -- the pitch for all seasons. No matter what the heavens send, the show will go on. On Saturday it was a heavyweight clash -- two of the biggest names in Dublin football. There was a good pocket of people on the neat terrace. 'Billers' was among them. Brian Mullins acted as umpire and Declan Darcy and Gerry McEntee were among the Brigid's mentors.

This was no B-list parade. Thankfully, Damien O'Reilly had sent Gerry Fleming home with the worst of the weather. availed A stiff breeze blew into the road end goal. Brigid's availed of it in the first half. They led at the turn, 0-8 to 1-2. It was a worthy victory. Overall they were the better side. They used the ball with wisdom and they kept it simple. Even against the elements in the second period Brigid's had valuable spells with the remote control. Midfielder, Seán Murray, summed up what they were about. Reading the play well, making vital interceptions and giving the easy ball. Vincent's didn't lack possession, and they weren't afraid of hard work.

They foraged for every crumb but they just didn't have the cutting edge of the hosts in attack. Brigid's had a more productive full-forward line. Colm Carr again showed his class. He hit the last score of the hour for Brigid's. The angle looked impossible. He was tight to the end line on the right but, somehow, he managed to curl it over. A touch of the Keith Barrys. The three-point interval deficit didn't represent a mountain for Vins. Most expected a Marino surge.

They began well enough in the second half, but a few early wides from scoreable positions seemed to suck the petrol from the tank. And, gradually, Brigid's took over again. Still, for most of the second period there was only a goal between them. And any time Vincent's were able to launch a long delivery towards the Blanch kitchen anything could have happened. A goal then would have had the Vins faithful shouting bingo. But the only goal came in the 27th minute. concluded A neat move up the left concluded with the lively Felim McMahon opening the gate for Cormac Diamond.

Brigid's came close enough to a couple of goals themselves before the tea break. Paddy Andrews, a powerful presence, rocked the Vincent's bar and then his free was nudged onto the underside of the bar. Making up Brigid's half-time tally were returns from Philip Ryan (three), Aodhán McEnerney, Murray, Cian Mullins and Carr (two). Two points straight out of the culture club from McEnerney and Murray had the hosts four up in the 42nd minute. Diamond replied for Vins but the tie was then already in injury-time.

But there was enough of it for Carr to add two more candles to the cake. Beating the famous Vins always makes it feel like it's your birthday. Just before curtain down, home midfielder Cian Mullins received his second yellow. But victory was secured by that stage and the high- fielding Mullins had more than played his part.

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