Naomh Bhríde Clinch Manguard Plus Minor Football ‘C’ Title
In an impressive display of determination and skill, Naomh Bhríde emerged as the Manguard Plus Minor Football ‘C’ Champions on Saturday afternoon after defeating Rathangan 0-11 to 1-4 at Manguard Park. The victory marks a successful title defense for the Ellistown/Nurney combination, who retained the championship previously claimed by Ellistown last year.
Match Overview: Naomh Bhríde vs. Rathangan
The contest, though not spectacular, showcased Naomh Bhríde’s defensive prowess and strategic gameplay. Despite struggling to find their rhythm, the team managed to hold Rathangan to just five scores throughout the match, ensuring they were never trailing at any point in the game.
The scoring commenced with a close-range free taken by Leo Lennox, putting Naomh Bhríde on the scoreboard early. Rathangan quickly responded through their key player, Kildare minor Austin Donegan, who equalized with a well-timed point after a swift breakaway from midfield. Naomh Bhríde’s Harry Donnelly then reclaimed the lead before Pauric Carty brought Rathangan back on level terms in the 14th minute.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, Naomh Bhríde began to assert their dominance. Scores began to flow, with Lennox adding to his tally from another close-range free, while Evan Donnelly cleverly weaved through the Rathangan defense for a point. Just before half-time, Rory Burke finished off a sweeping move initiated by Harry Donnelly, solidifying their grip on the match. The first half concluded with Naomh Bhríde leading 0-5 to 0-2, backed by a resilient defense that denied Rathangan significant goal-scoring opportunities.
Strategic Plays and Key Moments
The second half opened with Naomh Bhríde extending their lead through a remarkable free from 40 meters by Harry Donnelly. Rathangan attempted to claw back with Carty’s point, but Naomh Bhríde responded quickly with a left-footed effort from Man-of-the-Match Theo Hanlon, pushing the score to 0-7 to 0-3.
The tension rose when Rathangan’s Donegan brought the gap down to three points with eleven minutes remaining, igniting hopes of a comeback for the team. However, Naomh Bhríde maintained their composure, with Harry Donnelly drawing fouls to provide Lennox more scoring opportunities—he converted these chances to push them ahead 0-9 to 0-4.
Rathangan’s Carty added a late goal from the edge of the penalty area, creating a flicker of excitement for supporters. Yet, as the match approached injury time, Naomh Bhríde showcased their mettle with additional points from Lennox and Hanlon, sealing the championship victory.
Team Line-ups
Naomh Bhríde:
- Daragh Looney
- Mikey Farrell
- Andrew O’Donnell
- Charlie Cullen
- TJ O’Loughlin
- Paddy Waters
- Seamus Noonan
- Oisín O’Loughlin
- Leo Lennox 0-5 (5fs)
- Theo Hanlon 0-2
- Evan Donnelly (captain) 0-1
- Rory Burke 0-1
- Seán Murphy
- Alex Gleeson
- Harry Donnelly 0-2 (1f)
Rathangan:
- Seán Moran
- Alex Leech
- Oisín Kenny
- Darragh Sinnott
- Oran McDonnell
- Paddy Murphy
- Darragh Gilligan
- Niall Ahern
- Diarmuid Conlan
- Eoghan McMullen
- Austin Donegan 0-2
- Luke Mullally
- Seán Heffernan
- Ruairí Broughan
- Pauric Carty 1-2 (1f)
Looking Ahead
As Naomh Bhríde basks in their championship glory, their victory reflects not just skillful play but also a strong commitment to teamwork and strategy. This win not only highlights their current prowess but also sets a standard for future contests in the minor football arena.
In the meantime, Rathangan will look to regroup and analyze their performance as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Whether you are a fan of minor football or just an enthusiast of dynamic sports action, the passion and competition exhibited on Saturday will surely resonate throughout the community as Naomh Bhríde celebrates their well-deserved championship title.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the world of sports! What did you think of the match? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
