Castlewellan
put sword to Bredagh's U14 Championship - 31 July 2003
Quarter Final Bredagh 0-10 v Castlewellan
7-09, Cherryvale Wed 30th July
This was a familiar story for the
boys from Belfast with some good football played and some good scores taken, but
the opposition proved to be just too big and strong. Bredagh led by 0-4 to 0-3
after fifteen minutes and had Castlewellan chasing shadows, with Cormac Hughes
especially effective (scoring 0-02), but four quick goals killed the contest in
just four minutes.
The plucky home side fought to the very
end of the game, with Oisin Quinn in particular refusing to lie down, but Bredagh
lacked height, strength and experience in key positions up the middle. The absence
of players such as Matthew Hollywood and John McKenna was felt, although it should
be stressed that this Belfast side is mainly a young team which has improved greatly
on last year's Under-14 season.
1st
Round U14 Championship Game: Liatroim 6-04 Bredagh 5-13 Wed 23rd July
Bredagh
were cruising at 5-11 to 1-4, a full nineteen points ahead when Liatroim started
to come back into the game. Bredagh managment moved Eamonn Glenholmes out of goals
and suddenly, the goals flowed and there was some concern among the large travelling
support from Belfast.
In the first-half, some sparkling
football had Bredagh in charge with great work by the likes of Niall Colton, Oisin
Quinn, Eoin Costello, Matthew Holywood and the McElroys rewarded with scores from
Conor McCloskey (1-1 from frees), Deo Colton (0-2 from play) and Peter Graham
(1-0). Simon McCluney added a smashing goal near the end of the half, fetching
and shooting to the top of the net in one movement, and Rowan Smart kicked a fine
long-range point.
Half-time: Liatroim 1-3 Bredagh 3-8.
Eoin Costello added a stunning goal on the restart (off
his right boot...) and points from Peter Graham, Niall Colton and another McCloskey
free cancelled out a Liatroim goal. Then Rowan Smart scored a great goal and it
looked all over, but that's when the wheels came off! At least Kevin McElroy kicked
a point in the middle of the goal rush, and Eoin Costello finished off the scoring
with another point.
Overall, this was a fine win with some
very fine football played by the Bredagh lads, who overcame the loss of regular
goalkeeper Sean Armstrong in the warm-up. Eamonn Glenholmes played very well between
the sticks, while Cormac White and Declan O'Hara deserve special mentions for
their displays in the defence. Niall Colton capped his fine performance with a
great point, his brother Deo took some lovely scores, as did Peter Graham and
Rowan Smart.
