Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament quarter-final: St Peter’s, Warrenpoint (Down) 1-10 St Brigid’s (Antrim) 1-6
WARRENPOINT emerged worthy winners to claim the last semi-final spot in the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament following a tense and turgid encounter against a Joe Brolly-managed St Brigid’s side who battled right to the final whistle.
Having overcome Monaghan champions Aughnamullen in the preliminary round, the Down champions came into this game in confident mood, but a tenacious and well-disciplined St Brigid’s defence was determined to never let them into their stride.
The outcome of the game was in the balance right until the final moments.
Played in good conditions in Gardrum Park, the south Belfast boys took an early lead with a fine effort from dangerous full-forward Peter Henvey. However, this was to be the only time in the game where they were to hold a lead.
The towering Eoin Carr in midfield and the diminutive Kohree Hourican, who was playing a sweeping role, took control of the game as Warrenpoint came forward in swathes. They soon equalised via a Jack Elmore effort.
Two outstanding scores from Carr and an equally impressive one following a mazy 50-yard run from Hourican put Warrenpoint in control. They were, however, finding it difficult to get through the St Brigid’s defence.
Rory Brolly, who was having a terrific battle with Warrenpoint man-of-the-match Peter Sweeney, did manage to get two points before the half-time whistle, but he was left to rue a glorious missed goal opportunity, hitting the side netting following a flowing team move.
Warrenpoint started the second half in whirlwind fashion. Two points from full-forward Aaron McBurney, who had a great second half, and one from Carr gave them a four-point lead as the tempo increased and tackles were coming in hot and heavy.
Brolly and Henvey efforts kept St Brigid’s in touch, but the game-changing moment came in the 42nd minute when a 45-yard free from McBurney was deflected to the net by a retreating St Brigid’s defender just as goalkeeper James McKenna was ready to collect it.
Tempers became frayed and St Brigid’s were reduced to 14 men following an ugly confrontation which was not in the spirit with which the rest of the game had been played.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Antrim champions were not going to go down easy. Following another Henvey point they got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty by referee Eamon McHugh for a foot block.
Henvey dispatched the kick in style, leaving only two points between the teams entering the final moments.
It was Warrenpoint who were to finish the stronger though. Late points from Ruairi McCormick and Eoghan Byrne, who up until that point had been superbly marshalled by Henry McGuigan, saw them progress to a semi-final meeting next Saturday against high-scoring Tyrone champions Killeshil.
