CONWAY CUP RD1 2006

Brendans dance to victory - Conway Cup

St Brendans.....1-18

Moindearg.........0-7

If it is sexy football you crave, then Ruislip was the place for you last Sunday, as St Brendans easily disposed of Moindearg with a scintillating display of attacking football to run out eventual winners by fourteen points.

However, despite the provocative nature of the play from the Brendans, it would probably be fairer to describe the game itself as a frustrating lap-dance rather then the Full Monty as Moindearg were never allowed to get involved and were instead forced to play the role of frustrated voyeur unable to lay a hand on their tormentor.

In defence of Mattie Maher’s team, who were playing the role of tortured punter to the gyrating showmanship of the Brendans, they were short too many of the key players, with three of them involved in the county set-up and also a number of others missing due to the by now customary Bank Holiday exodus from London GAA. As much as they might have wanted to play a greater role in the show, the Moindearg had neither the means nor the ability to join in the party.

Key to the victory for the Brendans was the crucial trio of Paddy Bowles, Danny O’Connor and Adrian Brett, with all three showing tremendous, awareness, speed, movement and accuracy throughout the game and from that base Peter McNally’s team were able to dance to the tempting tempo they had set.

By the break the aforementioned triumvirate had accounted for eight of the Brendans’ nine first half points, with the other coming from Simon Cullen, while the Moindearg response of 0-3 had arrived courtesy of the boots of Paudi Mannion (2) and Anthony McCalliog.

The second half brought little let up in the teasing and taunting from the Brendans and following a goal from Martin Gillespie five minutes after the break, there was no way back for the men in maroon and really the winners should have had a second goal when Killian Phair was denied by an excellent save from Mark Terry in the Moindearg goal.

Overall it was an excellent showing from last year’s beaten Championship finalists, with Gary Cullen showing all his old form from 2002 at full back, having missed all of last year, while centre back Paul Malone also had a dominant game. Paul Tierney excelled in the roving defensive role that is almost custom made for a player of his footballing intelligence, while the midfield pairing of Sean McAlinden and Leo Fallon were streets ahead of their opposite numbers.

As already mentioned the attack was dominated by the efforts of Adrian Brett, Danny O’Connor and Paddy Bowles.

Missing Chris Finnerty, Pat Quirke and Angus Folan, much rested on the shoulders of Paudi Mannion in the Moindearg attack and although he showed in brief glimpses, he was generally well marshalled in and around the Brendans’ goal.

Niall Macken, Noel Ribbon and Niall O’Shea also showed well, while Mark Terry made one exceptional save in the second half, that despite being hampered by a very obvious leg injury.

Scorers:

St Brendans: P Bowles 0-7; A Brett 0-4 (0-2f); D O’Connor 0-3; M Gillespie 1-0; P Tierney 0-1; K Phair 0-1; P Malone 0-1; B Tighe 0-1.

Moindearg: P Mannion 0-3; N O’Shea 0-3; A McCalliog 0-1.