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Minor Footballers Crowned Leinster Champions After Thrilling Encounter - Mon, 14 Jan 2008
St Brigids 2-6 Ashbourne 1-8 Goalkeeper Jamie Philips was the hero as his spectucaler double save in added time denied Ashbourne. It was all hands to the pump as Ashbourne piled on the pressure in the closing quarter but stout defending in the full back line from Alan McCarrick, Ryan McAnerin & Cathal Doyle made sure the Leinster Championship was coming back up the M9 to Russell Park on Sunday evening.
A large crowd gathered in Eire Og's Grounds in Carlow eagerly awaiting this clash between back to back Meath Minor Champions and the Dublin Champions. Brigids opened well with the aid of the wind as Daire Plunkett pointing within three minutes. Ashbourne were soon level when wing forward Eric Callaghan fired over a stylish point from the left. Aodhan McEnerney were soon on the score board with a beautiful point after Cian Mullins lofted in a superb ball into the left channel. Daire Plunkett extended Brigids lead with a fine individual goal, beating two men before sending an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner. It was all one way traffic at this point. Ashbourne were under severe pressure. McEnerney soon added another goal after a high ball into the Ashbourne full back line was broken by Philip Carroll. McEnerney pounced to finish to the net. Leading 2-2 to 0-1 after 18 minutes, it looked like it was going to be a stroll but Ashbourne showed true grit to fight back into this game. Full forward Steven Kavanagh blasting home from close range. Brigids kept fighting and Paul Clerkin was rewarded for his hard work when he dispocessed Ashbourne corner back Daryl Lawlor and fire over for a point. Philip Carroll added another point when his goal bound shot skimmed the bar for a point. Ashbourne hit back when their superb centre back David Morgan pointed to leave the score 2-4 to 1-2 at the break.
The wind strengthed in the second half so the lads were definitely going to be under pressure during periods of the second half. Brigids opened the second as they opened the first when Paul Clerkin ended a fine move when swinging over a point off his left. No one could have believed that this would be their last point until injury time of the match. Ashbourne piled forward with the aid of the wind and began to believe. Five unanswered points from Ashbourne left one point between the sides with six minutes remaining. Ashbourne looked the likely winner but the St Brigids defence got really stuck in and superb blocks from Alan McCarrick & Cian Mullins denied Ashourne. Cathal Doyle & Captain Naill Davey were also superb. The game was really in the melting point with the game nearing injury time when Ashbourne counter attacked but Davey intercepted an Ashbourne pass to feed Cian Mullins who strode forward to fire over from 35 yards out. Entering injury time the Leinster Championship looked like it was heading to Russell Pk but Ashbourne never gave up and cut through the Brigids defence. Ashborune were bearing down on goal when an inspired Jamie Philips blocked a goal bound shot. Philips was back on his feet to tip another shot onto the cross bar. Ashbourne didn't give up as they soon reduced the Brigids lead to one point with a fisted effort. It was all too late as Brigids were crowned Leinster Champions. A big thank-you to the massive support who travelled to the game. Thank you to Gerry McEntee, Declan Darcy & Liam Plunkett for their efforts with the team this year. We are all looking forward to next Sunday when we take on Kilmacud Crokes for the League Title in Thomas Davis's Grounds. |
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