St. Brigid's bag Under-21 'B' title

St. Brigid's 1-13

Cullion 1-1

St. Brigid's' revival at underage level continued on Saturday afternoon last,

November 23rd at Springfield, when they deservedly annexed the County-Under 21

'B' hurling crown after a convincing win over a Cullion. A well-drilled and

balanced Dalystown team were dominant in most sectors throughout and this win

will give the club great encouragement for next year's intermediate campaign.

Their defence was solid all through with goalkeeper David Glennon, the stylish

Philip Sheridan, Denis Glennon and Séamus Faulkner particularly prominent. At

midfield, the inspirational Damien Loran and the hard-working Michael Geraghty

won a good deal of possession while their lively attack posed problems for the

over-worked Cullion rearguard with Dermot Faulkner, Paul Brady and Larry

Poynton all troubling the scoreboard.

Cullion were quietly confident entering Saturday's decider after a

comprehensive semi-final over Castlepollard. They failed to rise to the

occasion however with their attacking efforts quelled by the competent St.

Brigid's rearguard and they found it difficult to contain a lively attacking

unit. Their most effective players over the hour were goalkeeper Derek

Kerrigan, defenders Stephen Corroon and David Dunican, Colin Whyte and Simon

Foran at midfield and John Bagnall in attack.

The winners shot a number of wides in the opening stages before top scorer,

Dermot Faulkner opened their account. They added further points from Jonathan

Sheridan, Dermot Faulkner and Larry Poynton before Cullion notched their only

score of the opening half, a fine long-range effort from midfielder Colin

Whyte. The attacking efforts of the saffron and whites was rewarded in the

final stages of the first half when Jonathan Sheridan was on hand to flick the

sliotar past a helpless Derek Kerrigan from close range after good approach

play by Larry Poynton. Half time: St. Brigid's 1-4, Cullion 0-1.

The second moiety continued in a similar vein to the first with the Dalystown

men dominant in virtually every position. Their forwards began to finish more

accurately and they shot over four unanswered points from Dermot Faulkner

(two), Michael Geraghty and Paul Brady to establish a ten-point lead midway

through the half. Cullion gained a glimmer of hope when Simon Foran finished

to the net after Colin Whyte's twenty-metre free was only partly cleared.

The St. Brigid's men were not to be denied in the closing stages with Messrs

Sheridan, Glennon and Loran inspirational figures and they added five

unanswered points in the final ten minutes from Dermot Faulkner (two), Damien

Loran, Thomas Geraghty and Adrian Eighan to run out comfortable winners on a

final scoreline of St. Brigid's 1-13, Cullion 1-1.

St. Brigid's team and scorers: David Glennon, Damien Gallagher, Adrian

Gallagher, Séamus Faulkner, Philip Sheridan, Denis Glennon, Damien Loran

(0-1), Michael Geraghty (0-1), Thomas Geraghty (0-1), Paul Brady (0-1), Dermot

Faulkner (0-6, four frees), Larry Poynton (0-1), Jonathan Sheridan (1-1).

Subs: Adrian Eighan (0-1) for Paul Brady; Robbie Kenny for Jonathan Sheridan;

Gordon Gonoud for Larry Poynton.

Cullion team and scorers: Derek Kerrigan, David Reynolds, Hugh McConnell, John

Gaffney, David Dunican, Stephen Corroon, Colin Whyte (0-1), Simon Foran (1-0),

J. P. Monaghan, David Bourke, Kevin Reynolds, Stephen Bourke, John Bagnall.

Sub; Brendan Early for Kevin Reynolds.

Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Oliver Plunkett's).