6 out the 7 St Brendan’s Adult teams took to the field over a three-day period between May 7th to 9th. The only team not in action were the Ladies Football 2nd XV, who were due to play St Sylvester’s, but the Malahide outfit gave a walkover.
Tuesday May 7th
In keeping with tradition of the club not playing on Bank Holiday Weekends, The St Brendan’s Hurlers, sponsored by Bodibro, moved their AHL7 fixture against Faughs from 11am on Sunday to 7.30pm on Tuesday. A moved that paid rich dividends with another win on a scoreline of 4-14 to 3-9. Once again JJ ‘72’ Lennon was the scorer in chief with 10 points and the goals came from Jack ‘The Prop’ Mc Grath, The Wexican Oisin Carley, Pa Carey and Ciaran Ludden, with the latter 2 also getting two points from play. Plus, Eoin Ryan, Eanna Larkin and Mark Kinsella were outstanding in defence to ensure a 5th win on AHL7.
The Same evening the St Brendan’s Football 1st XV, Sponsored by Dynamic Safety Solutions, travelled to Man O’War to face the home side who have in the ranks, Dublin Senior County panellist Conor Dolan, last year's County Under 20 captain and a player described by Martin Ryan as ‘More Dangerous than Climate Change’.
The Dark Force did their best to keep Dolan at bay and Conor Hallissey kept a clean sheet for himself, but St Brendan's were still beaten 0-18 to 1-11 with Cillian Morrisson getting the goal and him and John Burns both has goal chances to snatch the win, but it wasn't to be.
The 8th of May, The 8th of May!
The St Brendan’s Ladies Football 1st XV, Sponsored by McGowans of Phibsborough, travelled to Ballyboden to face a Ballyboden St Endas side, whom, like St Brendan’s are also looking for their first win of the season.
After losses against Erins Isle (3-10 to 4-10), Man O War (2-10 to 4-12) and Scoil Ui Chonaill (3-1 to 4-9), The Female Dark Force finally got the first win of the season defeating Ballyboden St Enda’s 4-10 to 1-10
St Brendan's Ladies 3rd XV travelled to McGee Park in Tallaght to face the high-flying St Marks on Motorhead Day, the 8th of May, after making a fine start to the season themselves. This is the first full year St Brendan's has entered a third Adult Ladies Football team. We fielded with players from the USA, UK, Spain, and Hong Kong and had a few folks unavailable. St Marks took to the field early in a new set of jerseys that clashed with the beautiful FTI Consulting sponsored St Brendan's kit. From the LGFA Official Guide 2023 "In the event of a clash of colours in an Inter-Club game, the away team must wear jerseys of a different colour."
So, St Brendan's turned their jerseys inside out. Referee Rob Moore was 100% ok with this. St Brendan's started well, with string displays around the middle, but the youthful St Marks took an early lead. St Brendan’s had a great deal of possession but could not convert their chances. Noeleen was doing well in goal but had a good bit of work to do in the clubhouse end goal in the first half. After sorting out her angles several fine saves were pulled off. Emer Cartwright Niamh Byrne, Catherine Moran and Lorna Barton were doing well. Dual star Helen Macklin popped over a long distance free to be proud of. Half time score was St Marks 3-12 to St Brendan's 0-4.
Super defending from Tara Evans, Aoife Beggan and Lorna Barton were hallmarks of the second half. Jenny Fearne did super work collecting several kickouts. St Brendan’s movement in the forwards was getting more joy in the second half. Scores also came from Catherine and Niamh in the middle. Ana came in for Emer Weir and took up a corner forward berth. Ana got into the game well and Vicky covered a lot of hard yards out the field. St Brendan’s never gave in and showed a lot of spirit. This was honestly a tough game but every game we improve and work hard. Super work girls, some of the greatest characters to wear a St Brendan's Jersey, even if it is inside out.
Final score St Marks 5-17 to St Brendan's 1-10.
Team
1) Noeleen Gibson, 2) Jenny Fearne, 3) Aoife Beggan, 4) Tara Evans, 5) Helen Macklin, 6) Lorna Barton, 7) Emer Weir, 8) Catherine Moran, 9) Niamh Byrne, 10) Niamh McCarthy, 11) Emer Cartwright, 12) Aine Cleary, 13) Emily Smith, 14) Dervla Casey, 15) Vicky Eades.
Subs 45min Ana Llorca Benet for Emer Weir, 50min Monica Amaya for Emily Smith
Thursday May 9th
The St Brendan’s Football 2nd XV, in partnership with Stoneybatter Pride of Place, were hoping to make it three wins in a row in Longmeadows against Rosmini Gaels. Unfortunately, the Darkest Force were decimated by late withdrawals and work commitments and were comprehensively beaten 5-15 to 0-5 by the Drumcondra Road outfit.
The St Brendan’s Camogie team, Sponsored by Comtech Engineering and Ryans of Camden Street are sitting pretty at the top of the Junior 4 League following a comprehensive 5-9 to 0-1 victory over the Lucan Sarsfields D team, following up the Dark Force Camogs 2-5 to 0-5 victory over The Na Fianna C team a week earlier.
