MFC final: McKenna leads St. Brides to first ever minor title
October 17, 2011Full forward Cathal McKenna was the star for the Knockbridge side, producing a man of the match display. McKenna finished with a personal tally of 10 points.
St. Brides were quickest from the traps, with two points on the board in the first four minutes. Ross Kehoe got the first score of the game, then shortly after McKenna doubled Brides advantage from a free.
Lively wing forward Stephen Lines got the ball rolling for the Gers with a fine effort but it was the Brides who maintained the upperhand. Their dominance showed when Kevin Hearty, McKenna (2) and midfielder James Collins stretched their lead to five points - 0-6 to 0-1.
Geraldines refused to lie down, three unanswered points courtesy of Nathaniel Cooney, Lines and Josh Arrowsmith narrowed the gap to two.
However, the Knockbridge side finished the half hour like they started. McKenna added three more points from placed balls to give his team a four point cushion at the break - 0-9 to 0-5.
Geraldines started the second half brightly with points from Lines and centre forward John Rogers.
On 40 minutes, the Gers had a chance to take the lead for the very first time only for a fantastic save by 'keeper Darren Breen to divert a Josh Arrowsmith shot over the bar. This left the minimum between the two sides - 0-9 to 0-8.
Once again, St. Brides responded strongly and Richard Halpenny kicked an important score to put them two ahead. Two points in quick succession from the magnificent McKenna looked to have put St. Brides on their way to victory.
The Gers grabbed one back through Lines on 26 minutes but McKenna well and truly sealed the victory for St. Brides with two well taken points.
It was a memorable say for the St. Brides club as captain Paddy Reilly accepted the Fr. Larry Murray Cup on behalf of his team.
St. Brides Scorers: Cathal McKenna (0-10), James Collins, Kevin Hearty, Richard Halpenny and Ross Kehoe 0-1 each.
Geraldines Scorers: Stephen Lines (0-5), Josh Arrowsmith (0-2), Nathaniel Cooney and John Rogers 0-1 each.
St. Brides: Darren Breen; Andrew Smith, Conor Deane, Darren McGuinness; Patrick Hoey, Cillian Kirk, James Costelloe; James Collins, Paddy Reilly; Frankie Steele, Kevin Hearty, Richard Halpenny; Niall Brennan, Cathal McKenna, Ross Kehoe. Subs: Laurence Steen for Brennan, Shane Carragher for McGuinness.
Geraldines: Andrew Darcy; Ryan Trainor, Padraig Marcel Ekwueme; Kyle Erasmus, Sean Thornton, Shane Kelly; Nathaniel Cooney, Aaron Murray; Andrew Traynor, John Rogers, Stephen Lines; Paul McLaughlin, Shaun Callan, Josh Arrowsmith. Subs: Gareth Connolly for Kelly, Glen Traynor for Traynor, James O'Connor for Callan, Jason Matthews for Ekwueme, Dara Hamill for Rogers.
Referee - Aidan Dunne Tweet
