County U14 Football Shield Final
Our U14 footballers of Naomh Bríd (Kilteely Dromkeen & Ballybricken) took on Kildimo Pallaskenry in the County shield final on Friday last in knockea. The early exchanges were very even and the sides were level two points each after pointed frees for us from Jack Cross and Brian O'Grady. Kildimo had the aid of a slight breeze and began to take full advantage as they registered some fine points to race into a five point lead. Brian O'Grady converted a free just before the break to leave the half time score 0-7 to 0-3 to Kildimo. It would take an almighty effort to turn this game around and it was made harder as Kildimo scored the opening point of the second half. Some positional changes and the utter dominance of our Captain and now Centre Back Conor Egan provided the platform to launch a comeback. Some great inter play saw Mattew Prender launched a dangerous high ball towards the Kildimo goal and it deceived the keeper, David O'Connell made sure when following up to finish to the net. This gave us the belief we needed as we launched wave after wave of attack. James Garvey fisted another point and then Brian O'Grady levelled with 10 minutes left. To their credit Kildimo defended superbly and launched a counter attack from which they took the lead again. Micheal Martin, Ryan Hickey and John Egan in defence repelled all attacks as Niall Mitchell,Daniel Owens and Brian O'Grady began to dominate midfield. A scything run by Brian saw him fire a rocket towards the Kildimo goal which thundered off the crossbar, it began to look like it wouldn't be our day. Matthew Pender squeezed over the equaliser and tension reached fever pitch as both teams were roared on by the large crowd. We won a close in free when Brian O'Grady was fouled and Jack Cross was ice cool as he put over to give us the lead for the first time with 2 minutes to play. More solid defending kept Kildimo at bay and a last attack say Daniel Owens score the insurance point. Shortly after the final whistle sounded to end an absorbing contest with two excellent and honest teams giving there all, Final Score Naomh Brid 1-8 Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-9. Congratulations to all involved, a lot of hard work has gone into these lads and they have responded by showing a never say die attitude. Captain Conor Egan accepted the trophy on behalf of the team and tanked the management and Kildimo Pallaskenry for an excellent game.
Naomh Brid Management Team and Panel - U14 Football Shield County Champions 2014
Team: Josh Sheehan, Pat Byrnes, Conor Egan (c), John Egan, Micheal Martin, Niall Mitchell, Ryan Hickey, Brian O'Grady, Daniel Owens, Darragh Hogan, James Garvey, Matthew Prender, Tyrique Leamy McNamara, Jack Cross, David O'Connell.
Subs: Jack Franklin, Craig Hannon, Colin o Riordan, Darragh Curtin, Aidan Walker, David Curtin, panel members unable to attend Eoghan O'Dea, Cillian O'Brien, Edward English, Shane Dwane, Robbie Holmes, Brendan Gleeson.
Management: Anthony McCarthy, John O'Dea, Jimmy Martin, PJ Garvey, Kerry Walker.