St Brigids 1-4
Curraha 3-3

On a day of difficult conditions the quality of football was poor. 

St Brigids had a lot of possession in the first half but poor decision making on the ball resulted in wides and alot of possession wasted as they  struggled to cope with Curraha's blanket defence.  Scoring was opened by Killian Kiernan in the first minute scoring a point, followed by another point by Stephen Browne.  Curraha hit back with a goal in the fifteenth minute.  A point attempt by substitute Kevin Gilsenan was parried by the Curraha keeper as an alert Killian Kiernan hit the net. Aron Kieran added to the score with a point  leaving it 1 3 to St Brigids to 1 0 Curraha at half time. 

AJ Gilsenan opened the scoring in the second half with a point from play, but that was as good as it got for  the Brigids as Curraha came more into the game adding two further goals and three points.  In general St Brigids failed to cope with Curraha's blanket defence on the day.  Best for St Brigids Aaron Skelly, Shane Connell and Peter Moore in defence.  

St Brigids - Darach Mullhall, Philip Tuite, Aaron Skelly, Shane Gilsenan, Fechin Heery, Peter Moore, Shane Connell, Stephen Browne (0-1), Karl Kiernan, Hugh Fanning, AJ Gilsenan (0-1), Aron Kiernan (0-1), Michael Flood, Killian Kiernan (1-1), Dylan Tighe. Subs - Darach Geraghty for Daragh Mullhall, Kevin Gilsenan for Shane Gilsenan, Peter Clerkin, Alan Moore.

Curraha  3-03
St Brigids 1-04

Curraha made the long journey down to Ballinacree on Sunday evening worthwhile with a first round win in the Tailteann Cup. With first half wind advantage the home side opened the scoring with two points inside the first five minutes. However curraha were creating chances and could of had two goals in the first quarter but it was soon to be third time lucky for the away team team as full forward Paraic O'Hanrahan rounded his man and placed the ball to the back of net to give Curraha a one point lead. The rest of the half was very nip and tuck with both teams having to work hard around the middle to hold onto possession and the Curraha defence and work rate was of a high quality. For all the effort Curraha put in, they found themselves three points down at the break after a rebounded point effort came off the post and fell nicely to a Brigids forward who fisted to the net.

Although Curraha would have the wind in the second half, it didn't prove to be an advantage due to it changing every few minutes making conditions very tough and this wasn't helped with some heavy showers mid way through the final quarter. Brigids opened the scoring in the second half with a point but O'Hanrahan was on hand again to get his second goal of the game which really spurred on the away side. Curraha then introduced Gavin Coyle, David Toner and Sean O'Hanrahan and these fresh legs proved pivotal in the victory. Although Curraha were yet to register a point they were creating plenty of chances but as they say in football goals win games and corner forward Andrew Battersby got their third of the game to put Curraha in front with fifteen minutes remaining. Curraha worked very hard then to hold to that lead a points from Coyle and Toner (2) ensured that the hard work would turn into a success.

Curraha will certainly be pleased with their performance as they came through a tough battle as the referee let the game flow and they had to work hard to get a free at times.

Best for Curraha Phelim Dowling, Danny Battersby and Brian Joyce.

Curraha: L. McCarthy, S. Hogan, C. Joyce, Pj. McMahon, C. Moriarty, N. Murphy, D. Dunne, B. Joyce, P. Dowling, S. McDermott, B. Cosgrave, D. Battersby, A. Battersby 1-0, P. O'Hanrahan 2-0, S. Keogh. Subs: G. Coyle 0-1 for McMahon, D. Toner 0-2 for Cosgrave, S. O'Hanrahan for Dunne, J. Mangan for A. Battersby, C. Phelan for Keogh, D. Doran for B. Joyce (BC)

Tweet

Most Read Stories