t Patrick’s GAC Lisburn played three matches on Sat 11th August as part of the Antrim Go Games tournament at Woodlands, Finaghy Road North, Belfast. Team members were restricted to primary school age and the young Lisburn footballers gave a very strong account of themselves.
Match one : St Patrick’s 0-1 O’Dononvan Rossa (Belfast) 1-2.
This match was evenly contested between both teams with Lisburn shading the possession but failing to deliver crisp passes and take their scoring opportunities.
Match two: St.Patrick’s 0-8 Gort na Mona 1-2
St Patricks faced a strong Gort na Mona (Belfast) team in this clash, who fancied their chances of a big win over their younger Lisburn opponents. However, a superb display of team football lead to a totally different outcome. The Mona forwards got little change from the resolute defending by Conor and Rory Flynn at the heart of the defence. Michael Brannan contributed three well taken first half points after good approach play from Luke O’Neill, Peter Drayne and Liam McCullagh. Mona scored a point, before a close range effort on goal was successfully smothered by Peter O’Neill in goals, to close out the first half St Pat’s 0-3 Mona 0-1.
Lisburn continued to dominate play in the second half , with the midfield of Killian Drayne and Eamon Compston tying up possession and driving the team forward. This possession lead to further excellent scores from Liam McCullagh cutting in on his left foot, after being put through by Ryan McFall.
Mona got in for a fortunate goal from a free kick but the hard working defenders Conor Stinton and Conor Hall restricted Mona to a further point.
St. Pat’s closed out the game with excellent support play with the younger squad members Ian Simpson and Calum Brannan contributing to an excellent result.
Match 3: St.Patrick’s 3-2 St. Agnes/Éire Óg 1-2
Lisburn finished with a commendable draw against a bigger St. Agnes/Éire Óg combination. An excellent team performance in this match coupled with some pieces of inspirational play lead to a very exciting encounter.
Training continues on Saturdays in Kirkwoods, 1pm hurling 2pm football. all U-8 and U10 members are encouraged to return to training. St Pats annual ABC Gaelic Football tournament will take place in September.
