ST BRIGID’S 3-14 ST VINCENT’S 1-8
BRIGID’S at their Saturday Best. The Evening Herald Dublin Senior Hurling B Championship title is spending the winter in Russell Park.
Amidst the many hand shakes and hugs of congratulation in O’Toole Park, the talk was of hard sessions endured up in the Phoenix Park.
That’s the petrol that led to glory. Brigid’s were flying for the hour. They led all the way and they wrote some poetry. The afternoon even brightened to cheer them home.
COMPACT
There was a good crowd on the bank. They saw how compact the Blanchardstown defence was. Alan Nolan didn’t have a save to make.
Vincent’s are a young team. They won the Intermediate crown last term, and they’ll have good days again. This will be another significant entry in their CV.
Seán O’Sullivan was immense for Brigid’s at centre half-back. Right corner-back, Cathal Doyle, also earned the high marks.
Aodhán McEnerney and Donal O’Mahony were a powerful presence at midfield. And Brigid’s weren’t short of nimble forwards.
Playing at full-forward was Cian O’Mahony. He had the ball in the net at the pitch and putt end as early as the second minute.
Nolan delivered a monster free in his direction. O’Mahony did the rest. The net didn’t just dance. It went on a Tango.
Brigid’s didn’t look back after that. They were positive in all their efforts, yet Vincent’s kept in the mix. The accomplished free-taking of Pádraig Fleury was a major factor in that. Fleury converted five frees as Brigid’s led at the turn 1-7 to 0-7.
Seamus McHugh and the skilful Eoin Drumgoole got the other first half scores for Vins. The best point of the opening period came from another renowned craftsman, Paddy McAvinue, from wide on the right in the 12th minute.
It was Drumgoole who sent over the only point for Vins in the second half, a charming strike from wide on the left. By that stage, the Russell Park men were really beginning to boss the office.
Cian O’Mahony had come within inches of a second goal early on the restart, but goals from his brother, Donal, and Ciarán Kellett applied the salt and vinegar.
The tie had ticked into injury-time when Fleury slotted a free low to the right stanchion.
Even at that late stage, Brigid’s were disappointed they had given away a goal.They won’t be giving away too many of them in the Evening Herald Senior A Championship where, for sure, they’ll enhance the scenery in 2010. Vinnies are also promoted.
SCORERS – St Brigid’s: A McEnerney 0-7 (5f), D O’Mahony, C O’Mahony, C Kellett 1-1 each, P McAvinue 0-3 (1f), R Kelly 0-1. St Vincent’s: P Fleury 1-5 (all frees), E Drumgoole 0-2, S McHugh 0-1.
ST BRIGID’S: A Nolan; C Doyle, J Kavanagh, T O’Donnell; B Smyth, S O’Sullivan, M Cussen; A McEnerney, D O’Mahony; P McAvinue, T Cleere, D Plunkett; B McEnerney, C O’Mahony, J Winters. Subs: W Tyrrell for O’Donnell; C Kellett for Winters; K Morris for Plunkett; C Ryan for Smyth; R Kelly for B McEnerney.
ST VINCENT’S: P Clerkin; R Pocock, M Lillis, C Brennan; C Casserly, M Kirwan, E Moloney; C Davis, R Brennan; P Fleury, S McHugh, N Billings; E Drumgoole, G Boyle, B McCarry. Subs: C O’Flaherty for Billings; K Connolly for McCarry; C McCormack for Casserly; E Clerkin for McHugh.
REF: S McGill (Naomh Fionnbarra).
– EVENING HERALD DUBLIN SHC ‘B’ FINAL By Niall Scully (Evening Herald)
