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U16 Footballers Crowned Champs defeating St Maurs after Extra-Time - Sun, 22 Apr 2007

(Alan Daly, Gerry Troy, Kevin Cumisky, Philip McEntee, Donal O'Maera, Gavin O'Brien, James McDermott, Sean Campbell, Kevin Toowey, David Crehan, Dan Murphy, Cillian McCann, Odhran McCann, Conor Browne, Jack Kelly, Naill O'Dea, Michael Mitsy, Philip Ryan, Andrew Doolan, Mark Ryder, Cormac Lenihan, Mark Nyland)

St Brigids 3-17 St Maurs 3-12

After the heartbreak of a Championship Final defeat at the hands of Round Towers last year, the U16 Footballers were not going to be denied this time round. They fought for every ball and when things were going away from them in the second half, they showed real determination to bring the match to extra-time with the last kick of the game.

The game played in less than ideal conditions with a very strong wind favouring Brigids in the first half. Brigids opened their account within two minutes with Dan Murphy firing over from close range. The lads were soon four points up with points from Naill O'Dea, Conor Browne and another Dan Murphy point. St Maurs began to get a foot hold in midfield after St Brigids opening ten minute spell.

The physically bigger team began to out muscle our lads & soon opened their account. Brigids were on the back foot as St Maur's raced forward carrying the ball in hand very well. Stout defending from Philip McEntee and Donal O'Meara kept Maurs at bay but St Maur's got soon cut the deficit to one point as their very talented free taker notched up two free's. He didn't miss one free during the entire game.

Brigids soon fought their back into the game with points from the energetic Philip Ryan and Naill O'Dea. O'Dea proving a real thorn in the St Maurs defence. Maur's were not to be out done as they surged forward in waves overlapped at times. Maur's added two further points to go in 3 points down at the break but with a very strong wind at their backs.

Brigids knew it would be a backs against the wall job in the second half and their case wasn't helped as Maurs kept quickly out of the blocks to level matters within five minutes of the restart. Matters were to get worse as Brigids conceded a penalty which Maurs crashed to the net. The pressure was on but the lads dug deep and began to fight like their life depended on with. Midfield became a real battlefield with Toowey & Crehan producing man of the match performance winning ball in the middle and driving forward with ball in hand. Brigids really were rolling as they soon levelled up matters with scores from Jack Kelly, Dan Murphy and Conor Browne.

Maurs were beginning to feel the pressure as Brigids edged ahead with a superb O'Dea point. With ten minutes remaining, Brigids knew Maurs would get some chance due to the gale being at their backs. Maurs were piling forward at every given chance but captain James McDermott rallied his troops to fend Maurs off for several minutes until they led with the aid of two free's with injury time looming. Brigids seemed doomed to defeat until Gavin O'Brien intercepted a ball in centre field and drove forward to feed O'Dea with fed the ball to Jack Kelly who supplied a pinpoint accurate ball to Browne who swung it over with his left foot. Brigids were on a high as the referre blew for extra-time.

Maurs started the first ten minute peroid of extra-time strongly registering two points in the opening four minutes. Every ball was to be crucial with such as short amount of time to respond. Goals were to be the deciding in the game as Brigids ended the half with two goals, a real hammer blow to St Maurs. Firstly Gavin O'Brien popped up in the full forward line to finish calmly to the net. Maurs were soon left reeling as O'Dea finished Ciaran McDonald style to the net. Brigids weren't finished as Jack Kelly firing over a long distance point.

The game was soon put to bed when Philip Ryan powered through the Maur's defence to finish the ball low to the right corner and send the Brigids supporters into raptures. Maurs finished with a flourish of two goals but Brigids were not be denied their day.

A Big thank you to the management team for their superb training of the lads. Senior footballers Alan Daly, Odhran McCann and Cillian McCann have been coaching team brilliant and their skill levels has increased greatly. Also a big thank you to everyone who supported the team through-out the Championship campaign.

St Brigids: Gerry Troy, Kevin Cumisky, Philip McEntee, Donal O'Maera, Gavin O'Brien, James McDermott, Sean Campbell, Kevin Toowey, David Crehan, Dan Murphy, Conor Browne, Jack Kelly, Naill O'Dea, Michael Mitsy, Philip Ryan

Subs: Andrew Doolan, Mark Ryder, Cormac Lenihan, Mark Nyland

Half Time Normal Play: St Brigids 0-8 St Maurs 0-5

Full Time Normal Play: St Brigids 0-12 St Maurs 1-9

Half Time Extra-Time: St Brigids 3-13 St Maurs 1-14

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