St Brigid's 1-08

Crookedwood 0-1

St Brigid's easily dismissed the challenge of Crookedwood to win the Under-16 B hurling final

at Cullion last Sunday. The team from south Westmeath never had to get out of third gear as

they blitzed the opposition in the first half, and coasted to victory in the second.

With the wind at their backs, St Brigid's set out to establish a grip early on in the

proceedings, and were a point up inside the first minute thanks to nippy inside forward, Andy

Devine. The next ten minutes or so were very scrappy, with both defences on top. The heavy

pitch wasn't helping either side play constructive hurling, and it took a moment of inspiration

from Brigid's captain, Michael Malone to break the stalemate.

He started the move in his own half-back line, exchanged passes with a team-mate in midfield,

and stroked home an exquisite long range point. The game's outstanding forward, Drew Morgan

registering the first of his five points, quickly followed this effort.

At this stage of the game, Michael Malone and Aaron Gavin for St Brigid's were controlling

matters at midfield, and Crookedwood had to wait until the 17th minute to have their first

attempt at the target. Shortly afterwards, St Brigid's took complete control of the match

scoring a goal and two points in the space of three minutes. The goal on 20 minutes was

farcical from a Crookedwood point of view. Goalkeeper Anton Savage hesitated on the ball and

was easily dispossessed by Andy Devine who finished coolly to the net.

The lively number 13 could have had another goal for himself before half time but he over

elaborated with the target in his sights. Crookedwood had a chance to put their name on the

score sheet when awarded a free straight in front of the St Brigid's posts. But Shane Collins

took the wrong option in going for goal, and the defence cleared easily to leave the scores at

1-05 to St Brigids and no score to Crookedwood at half time.

Crookedwood's lone score came from midfielder David Kelly after 11 minutes, but a subsequent

brace from Morgan sealed a comprehensive victory for his team. Near the end of the match, an

unnecessary brawl broke out which resulted in the sending-off of Padraic Tighe for Crookedwood

and Trevor Gonoud for St Brigid's.

Overall though, referee Richie Heffernan did well to keep the lid on a game that occasionally

threatened to spill over.

All of the quality performances in this match were supplied by St Brigid's, with captain

Michael Malone, Drew Morgan, Andy Devine and Aaron Gavin all to the forefront. For the

opposition, Darren Geeragh and Alan Bardon toiled away manfully, but in the end, to no avail.

Scorers for St. Brigid's: Drew Morgan 0-5, Michael Malone 0-1 and Andy Devine 1-02.

Crookedwood: David Kelly 0-1.

St Brigid's: David Wright, Shane Gleeson, John Peppard, Trevor Gonoud, Gavin Hoey, Kevin Reid,

Aaron Gavin, Michael Malone (capt), Damian Keegan, Drew Morgan, Robert Reid, David Glennon,

Andy Devine. Subs used: Derek Gallagher, James Troy and Kieran Geraghty

Crookedwood: Anton Savage, Darren Geeragh, Paul Nugent (capt), Martin Connell, Alan Bardon,

Cian Cooney, Padraic Tighe, David Kelly, Gary Shaughnessy, Richie Crowley, Kevin Orme, Shane

Collins, John Browne. Subs used: Shane Orme and Michael Savage.

Referee: Richie Heffernan (Turin).