Burren Hold On To Edge Classic

Sunday 23.11.2014

Club

Those from Down and Antrim who made the long journey to Dromore on Sunday afternoon, and the locals from Tyrone will all feel they witnessed one of the best games of youth football seen in the county in years.

Down champions Burren came into this game as raging hot favourites with many expecting them to easily account for St Brigids of Antrim. However such was the commitment of the city lads that Burren were hanging on at the end as they edged a classic 1-9 to 0-10.

The winners began well opening the scoring in the second minute with a pointed free from Declan Murdock. St Brigids levelled a minute later before Ronan Fegan flicked the ball to the St Brigids net to put Burren three in front.

Burren were enjoying the majority of possession but squandered several chances to move further ahead as St Brigds were forced to work hard defensively. Patrick Finnegan scored his team’s second point but scores from Shay and Declan Murdock ensured Burren remained in control on the scoreboard. The teams swapped further scores in the closing eight minutes of the opening half as the sides reached the break with Burren 1-6 to 0-7 in front.

Most neutrals expected Burren to build on their lead as they were playing with the aid of a slight breeze after the break. However it was St Brigids who began the second half on fire. A brace of points inside the opening two minutes courtesy of Peter Lavery and James Smith signalled the Antrim Champions’intent, levelled the match and suddenly it was game on. Burren struggled to cope with St Brigids work rate and intensity as the Antrim champions fought like demons for every ball. Their mid field pairing of Patrick and Joseph Finnegan drove their team forward at every opportunity, man of the match Phelim Lennon and nippy corner forward Peter Lavery came more and more into the game as St Brigids levelled the game with a point from Ethan Carleton mid way through the second half.

Burren were forced to work hard and managed to add points from Ronan Fegan and Declan Murdock to put daylight between the sides. However as the game entered the closing minutes it was St Brigids who were on top. They missed several chances of goals while Burren keeper Jack Brady made a match winning save from Joseph Finnegan to deny St Brigids a certain goal late in the game.

Referee Mickey Mc Cann allowed the match to flow and the pace remained relentless with great blocks, timely tackles and big hits being put in all over the pitch.

Sadly for St Brigids time ran out and with sixty three minutes played the final whistle sounded with the final score reading Burren 1-9, St Brigids 0-10. It was heartbreak for the young Antrim lads but they can take some comfort in knowing that themselves and Burren had just served up a hugely entertaining and memorable game.