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Seniors fixtures and results
Championship Fixtures and Results
Sunday 11/4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-7 Aghaderg 1-7
Friday 16/4 / 2004 - St.Pauls 0-6 Bredagh 2-11
Friday 23 /4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0 - 9 Bright 2 - 4
Friday 30 /4 / 2004 - Aughlisnafinn 0-2 Bredagh 4-15
Friday 07 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 2-10 St.Michaels 0-17
Friday 14 / 5 / 2004 - Killyleagh 3 - 4 Bredagh 3 - 12
Friday 21/ 5 / 2004 : Ballykinlar 1 - 8 Bredagh 1 - 12
Friday 28 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-13 Teconnaught 2-15
Friday 04 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-14 Dromara 0-7
Friday 11 / 6 / 2004 - Aghaderg 1-10 Bredagh 1- 6
Friday 18 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-11 St Pauls 1- 4
Friday 25 / 6 / 2004 - Bright 3 - 6 Bredagh 2-13
Friday 02 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-18 Aughlisnafinn 0-3
Thursday 08/ 7 / 2004 - St. Michaels 1- 9 Bredagh 1 -16
Sunday 25 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh v Killyleagh :Game awarded to Bredagh
Friday 30 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 4 -13 Ballykinlar 0 - 4
Friday 13 / 8 / 2004 - Teconnaught 1- 8 Bredagh 0-3
Friday 20 / 8 / 2004 - Dromara v Bredagh
Championship Date
Junior Championship - Bredagh 0-10 Aghaderg 2-9
The famous boots....?
ACFL Division 4 : League table.
League Fixtures and Results
Sunday 11/4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-7 Aghaderg 1-7
Friday 16/4 / 2004 - St.Pauls 0-6 Bredagh 2-11
Friday 23 /4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0 - 9 Bright 2 - 4
Friday 30 /4 / 2004 - Aughlisnafinn 0-2 Bredagh 4-15
Friday 07 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 2-10 St.Michaels 0-17
Friday 14 / 5 / 2004 - Killyleagh 3 - 4 Bredagh 3 - 12
Friday 21/ 5 / 2004 : Ballykinlar 1 - 8 Bredagh 1 - 12
Friday 28 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-13 Teconnaught 2-15
Friday 04 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-14 Dromara 0-7
Friday 11 / 6 / 2004 - Aghaderg 1-10 Bredagh 1- 6
Friday 18 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-11 St Pauls 1- 4
Friday 25 / 6 / 2004 - Bright 3 - 6 Bredagh 2-13
Friday 02 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-18 Aughlisnafinn 0-3
Thursday 08/ 7 / 2004 - St. Michaels 1- 9 Bredagh 1 -16
Sunday 25 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh v Killyleagh :Game awarded to Bredagh
Friday 30 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 4 -13 Ballykinlar 0 - 4
Friday 13 / 8 / 2004 - Teconnaught 1- 8 Bredagh 0-3
Friday 20 / 8 / 2004 - Dromara v Bredagh
Championship Date
Junior Championship - Bredagh 0-10 Aghaderg 2-9
The famous boots....?
ACFL Division 4 : League table.
Championship Reports
Sunday 11/4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-7 Aghaderg 1-7
A nervous opening to the season for Bredagh Seniors. A few scoring chances went a begging in the first half against quite a big physical Agahderg team. Some lovely points were exchanged by both sides and at half time Bredagh turned around 06-04 in the lead. In the second half an early goal by Agahderg put them back in front and they retained this lead until full time. Best player on the day for Bredagh was Rory McCaughey. Certainly grounds for optimism, chances were created and on another day would have been converted. Keep the heads up lads, early days!
Friday 16/4 / 2004 - St.Pauls 0-6 Bredagh 2-11
Following defeat at home to Aghaderg last week Bredagh seniors traveled to local rivals St. Pauls Hollywood determined to get that all important first victory of the season. From the throw in however it was the hard grafting home side who seized the initiative capitalizing on sloppy play to score the first point of the game and then going on to record a few bad wides. Bredagh were struggling somewhat during these early stages and showed frustration with some of the refereeing decisions resulting in a couple of players needlessly entering the referee’s book. Bredagh then slowly began to settle with Johnny Cleary scoring an excellent point and Conal Toland adding another following good approach work. St. Pauls hit back with two points to take the lead once more before a free for Bredagh tied the game. The maroons then began to dominate proceedings with Conal O’Neill making excellent penetrating runs; Shane Donnelly and Minor star Harte mopping up in the half back line restricting St. Pauls attacks. Paddy Heaney added an excellent long range point before Cleary stroked over two further points. An exchange of points from frees left Bredagh in command 0-7 to 0-4. An over enthusiastic tackle on the St. Pauls keeper by Kevin Muldoon resulted in a second yellow and saw Bredagh reduced to fourteen men just before the break. This ensured that the second half would be an even tougher assignment than envisioned. Half time St. Pauls 0-4 Bredagh 0-7.
Bredagh opted to play a two man full forward line for the second half with St. Pauls employing their extra man trying to contain the dangerous Cleary. St. Pauls began to turn the screw adding an early point and putting pressure on the Bredagh rear guard were the impressive Scullion, McCaughey and Harte stood up well to the challenge. An inspired early substitution by Manager Ciaran O’Keefe saw Brendan O’Connell replace Michael Tunney and within seconds O’Connell hammered the ball to the net following a fumble by the St. Pauls keeper. This deflated the homeside and Bredagh took full advantage with some great point scoring from Cleary, Toland and Deasly. A defence splitting pass from O’Connell then released Cleary who rifled the ball into the corner of the net to give the Maroons a 2-10 to 0-5 lead. Bredagh continued to press but poor shooting let them down somewhat. St. Pauls added a further point before Ian Galway burst through on goal following a good pass from Toland but saw his goal bound shot tipped over the bar for a point. Final score St. Pauls 0-6 Bredagh 2-11.
Friday 23 /4 / 2004 - Bredagh 0 - 9 Bright 2 - 4
Pre-match warm up before Senior game with Bright
This turned out to be a dour game of football characterised by poor shooting from the homeside and one of the worst examples of one sided refereeing ever witnessed by the Bredagh faithful. Bright came to Cherryvale having won both their opening games and the homeside were expecting a tough encounter. Straight from the throw in Bright won a free and a long ball into the square was fumbled by Bredagh goalkeeper Vize resulting in a soft goal. Bright then converted a free to leave the score 0-0 to 1-1 after only two minutes of play. Stunned by this Bredagh began to fight hard to get back in the game with a good passing move resulting in Conall O’Neill pointing. Johnny Cleary then quickly added a second. Bright began to frustrate the homeside slowing the game down and fouling repeatedly which went largely unpunished by the referee. Bright were finding it difficult to get out of their half and another Cleary point had Bredagh back in the hunt. Kevin Muldoon was then punched off the ball but again no action was taken by the referee who was beginning to incur the wrath of the home supporters. A couple of easy chances went begging for the maroons before a good passing move released the hardworking Toland one on one with the keeper, unfortunately he couldn’t keep his shot down and the ball sailed over the bar for a point to leave the scores level 0-4 to 1-1. A period of scrappy play followed, with the whistle happy referee continually punishing the bemused homeside. A dubious Bright free put them back in front with Bredagh replying from Toland to leave the half time score 0-5 to 1-2.
Bredagh started the second half with renewed vigor. Conall Toland scored from play following a mazy run. Good first time football then resulted in an excellent score for Brendan O’Connell to put Bredagh ahead by two. Again the referee did his level best to ruin any momentum the homeside built up awarding numerous dubious frees to Bright. A nasty stamping incident on Deasley was unbelievably missed by the man in the middle before Bright cut the deficit from a free. Poor shooting again by Bredagh let Bright off the hook and on a rare foray up field they punished the homeside emphatically. A long ball into the square was punched over the advancing Vize and despite the best attentions of Scullion trickled into the net to put the Killough men two points to the good. Again Bredagh fought back with a point from Cleary followed by another from Toland to tie the game. The referee then denied the maroons easy scoring chances by ignoring two blatant fouls on the advancing Toland and O’Connell. A free for Bright in the dying moments was converted and this was to prove the last score of an extremely disappointing game, which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Friday 30 /4 / 2004 - Aughlisnafinn 0-2 Bredagh 4-15
A big win for the Seniors in this game against the new club in County Down, Aughlisnafinn. It was a game where we were not going to learn a lot against weak opposition but as always with any team they deserved respect. Scorers on the night were Johnny Cleary 2-4, Conal Toland 1-2, Kevin Muldoon 0-1, Conal O'Neill 0-1, Connor O'Keefe 1-3 and Paddy Heaney 0-1. Apologies to anyone who has been omitted from this list.
Friday 07 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 2-10 St.Michaels 0-17
Bredagh and table topping St. Michaels served up an entertaining encounter at Cherryvale on Friday, which ended in all too familiar heartbreak for the homeside at the finish.
Straight from the throw in the homeside settled the better missing an early scorable free before Johnny Cleary split the uprights for the first score of the game. St. Michaels then began to win a greater share of breaking ball in the congested midfield sector scoring two points from play to edge themselves in front. A long ball floated into the square was fisted expertly to the net by Brendan O’Connell and this was quickly followed by a Conall O’Neill point to leave Bredagh 1-2 to 0-2 ahead and seemingly in the ascendancy. St. Michaels however had other ideas and began dominating at midfield, playing good ball into their dangerous full forward line and causing the normally reliable Bredagh full back line numerous problems. A fisted effort was tipped onto the bar by Bredagh keeper Vize before St. Michaels hit a purple patch notching up two points from free’s and a further point from play to level the scores at 1-2 to 0-5. Bredagh had no response to St. Michaels at this stage and the Magheralin men took full advantage scoring a free and three points from play to leave the half time score Bredagh 1-2 St. Michaels 0-9.
In a bid to get back into the game Bredagh made a number of changes notably Ciaran O’Keefe replacing the injured Vize in goal and Paddy Heaney moving to full forward. Bredagh started the second half with renewed vigor determined to put it up to St. Michaels. It was the away side who drew first blood however with a point from play. Bredagh hit back immediately with Pete Carr scoring a point and then seizing on loose ball in the square and driving it home for a goal. Conall Toland then fired over a point to level the game with a little over five minutes gone. St. Michaels replied from a free before Kevin Muldoon pointed following a mazy run. Bredagh’s midfield were competing well at this stage and an excellent ball released Conall O’Neill who turned his marker inside out before firing over the bar from an acute angle to leave the Maroons a point in front. St. Michaels were rattled at this point but Bredagh failed to turn the screw hitting two bad wides and seeing a goal bound effort blocked. After riding the storm the away side’s experience began to tell earning a series of frees to relieve the pressure on their backline. They converted a free and scored a point from play to edge in front once more. Bredagh replied from a Johnny Cleary free before St. Michaels pulled away again hitting three excellent long range scores to leave the score 2-7 to 0-16. Bredagh refused to buckle and two quick points from Heaney and Toland left the minimum between the sides. The homeside then missed a scorable free before a silly foul presented them with another golden chance, which was converted in style by Cleary to level matters 2-10 to 0-16. With seconds remaining St. Michaels earned a rather soft free 40 yards from goal and duly converted it to win by single point and leave the homeside heartbroken and still searching for their first home victory of the season. Final score Bredagh 2-10 St. Michaels 0-17.
Friday 14 / 5 / 2004 - Killyleagh 3 - 4 Bredagh 3 - 12
Bredagh travelled the short distance to Killyleagh on Friday night and despite an indifferent performance came away with both points. Bredagh took a while to settle in this game recording a number of bad wides before a Johnny Cleary point from a free opened the scoring. Good interlinking handpassing then saw Conall O’Neill score an excellent point with Conall Toland adding a third soon after. Killyleagh were all at sea at this point and the home keeper did well to keep out a rasping shot from Cleary who managed to point the resultant 45. Killyleagh on a rare foray upfield managed to get off the mark from a free before Bredagh replied with a couple of Cleary frees to leave the score 0-7 to 0-1. Liam McGarry then won a ball at his 21 and proceeded to solo impressively to the Killyleagh square before releasing the ball to Brendan O’Connell who made no mistake burying the ball in the back of the net. Conall O’Neill then managed to strike an upright before Paddy Heaney demonstrated that he had his shooting boots on this week scoring a good long range effort before bursting into the square to rifle the ball home for a second maroon goal. Killyleagh managed to soccer a ball over the bar late in this first half for their second score on the night and the half ended as it began with Bredagh squandering numerous easy point taking opportunities. Half time score Killyleagh 0-2 Bredagh 2-7.
For the first 5 mins of the second half it looked as if Bredagh would run riot. O’Connell cracked the base of the post before Kevin Muldoon blasted the ball to the roof of the net from 20 yards out to score his first goal of the season. Johnny Cleary then added a point to leave Bredagh in command and seemingly coasting 3-8 to 0-2 ahead. Manager O’Keefe made a number of changes at this point with Billy Heffernan making his debut at senior level and the terrible twosome of Paddy Finnegan and Connor O’Keefe reunited upfront. Killyleagh showed great spirit and managed to score a good goal before Ian Galway hit back with a point for the away side. There then followed a period of diabolical play by Bredagh who failed to clear their lines properly and were far too casual in possession. Killyleagh were invited time and time again to put pressure on the Bredagh fullback line. The inevitable happened with Killyleagh scoring a second goal before adding a point. Heffernan struck back for Bredagh with an excellent long range effort before Killyleagh scored a point and then a third goal following calamitous defending. Sensing a scalp Killyleagh continued to press for goals. Finally Bredagh woke up with Paddy Finnegan replying from a free before Ian Galway scored his second point on the night to leave the final score Killyleagh 3-4 Bredagh 3-12.
Friday 21/ 5 / 2004 : Ballykinlar 1 - 8 Bredagh 1 - 12
On a lovely evening with the majestic Mourne mountains in full view Bredagh Seniors recorded a very important victory against a very gallant Ballykinlar team. Early exchanges were mostly even until Ballykinlar were awarded a penalty. Eamon Vize made a magnificent stop initially but was unfortunately beaten to the rebound by the on coming full forward. Bredagh then knuckled down and set about reducing the deficit with some well taken points. At half time Bredagh turned around 3 points in arrears but a sterling team talk from Ciaran O'Keefe seemed to do the trick
What did he say?
Buoyed up by Ciaran's pep talk Bredagh set about trying to secure the win and quickly reduced the arrears. Then some great work from one of our most experienced players, Paul McEvoy, resulted in a well taken goal from Shane Matthews. Bredagh then consolidated their lead and held on to run out winners by 4 points.
Action from the game
This was a very important victory for the Senior team and keeps them well in touch with the league leaders. Well done to all concerned, keep up the good work!
Friday 28 / 5 / 2004 - Bredagh 0-13 Teconnaught 2-15
Teconnaught visited Cherryvale on Friday night and after an enthralling match left with both points. Bredagh began the match playing at a blistering pace with the aid of a strong breeze. A Johnny Cleary free was quickly followed by an Ian Galway point following good ball retention. Paddy Heaney then added a third. Teconnaught had no answer to the strong running of the homeside during these early exchanges and they began to lose their discipline with some outrageous challenges. Conall Toland pointed from a free before Henry Deasley scored a magnificent fifth from play and a sixth point was added from a placed ball by Cleary to leave the maroons ahead 0-6 to no score after 10 mins. Teconnaught began to gain a greater share of breaking ball at center field and hit back with a point and a free before a snap shot cannoned off the bar and was cleared to safety by full back Mark Scullion. Bredagh then missed a couple of scoring chances from frees before Paul McEvoy retired injured. Cleary added a point from a free before Teconnaught added three quick points from play to leave the score 0-7 to 0-5 with half time fast approaching. The homeside however ended the half as strongly as they began playing some excellent football. Two Cleary frees and a splendid point from Conall O’Neill left the half time score Bredagh 0-10 Teconnaught 0-5.
The homeside expected a strong response from Teconnaught in the second half especially as they now had wind advantage and they didn’t disappoint. Teconnaught began to mop up breaking ball at midfield and run purposefully at the Bredagh rear guard gaining numerous frees which they accepted with glee. They had four points from placed balls and solitary point from play to square the game at 0-10 a piece. Bredagh fought hard to get going in the second half with Henry Deasley who was having an excellent game replying with another magnificent point from play to edge the maroons ahead once more. Johnny Cleary was then put through on goal but uncharacteristically blasted wide. Teconnaught had a man sidelined for a dangerous tackle on Muldoon before a moment of controversy. A ball pumped into the Teconnaught square was flicked towards the on rushing Connor O’Keefe who blasted the ball soccer style into the roof of the net, the ball bizarrely rebounded into to play however and the referee refused to give the score despite the protests from umpires and supporters claiming he wasn’t sure if it was a genuine goal. Teconnaught then managed a point from a free to level the game once more before Brendan O’Connell pointed to leave the scores 0-12 to 0-11. Teconnaught refused to give up and they added two scores from play before a high ball was fumbled into the net by the Bredagh keeper to effectively end the contest. Teconnaught continued to press adding two more points one from a sideline ball. Another high ball was again fumbled and put into the net to leave the score 0-12 to 2-15. Conall O’Neill had a consolation point at the end and O’Connell crashed a shot off the bar in the dying moments. Final Score Bredagh 0-13 Teconnaught 2-15. A disappointing defeat and once again the Bredagh faithfull will point to controversial refereeing decisions which potentially cost them the game. The final score was no reflection on the game as a whole as one Bredagh supporter commented watching this senior side is no good for my heart… only too true!
Friday 04 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-14 Dromara 0-7
 Paddy and Brendan poised for action!
Paddy Heaney watching the birdie..!
Some heavy midfield action
Friday 11 / 6 / 2004 - Aghaderg 1-10 Bredagh 1- 6
Friday 18 / 6 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-11 St Pauls 1- 4
After a disappointing display last week Bredagh entertained local rivals St. Pauls in a ‘must win’ game especially since the visitors were a point ahead in Div. 4. This match turned out to be a rather tame derby fixture characterised by some poor shooting from both sides. Bredagh started brightly with St. Pauls working hard to stifle any fluent play. Conall Toland opened the scoring with a nice point from play. Johnny Cleary appeared to be singled out for special attention from the St. Pauls full backline but responded in the best possible fashion by winning a ball taking on his marker and slotting the ball over the bar. Brendan O’Connell then had a shot at goal well saved before Bredagh recorded a number of silly wides. Cleary scored from a placed ball before St. Pauls opened their account with a point from play. St. Pauls missed a couple of easy frees but Bredagh continued to dominate in all sections of the field. Paul Alexander scored an excellent point from play and this was followed by another from Brian Rice. St. Pauls were unable to get their game going but luckily for them Bredagh continued to miss chance after chance. Cleary scored from play and Conall Toland added another before a free from Cleary had Bredagh ahead 0-8 to 0-1. On a rare foray up the park a cross ball caught the Bredagh defence napping and as Rory McCaughey tussled with the onrushing St. Pauls attacker he inadvertently managed to lob the out rushing O’Keefe! A calamitous goal and as it turned out the last score of the half. Half time score Bredagh 0-8 St. Pauls 1-1.
The goal before half time seemed to lift the Hollywood men and they crowded midfield in the second half pinning the homeside in their own half. Full back Mark Scullion retired injured at this point and this unsettled the full backline. Bredagh however were their own worst enemies at times during the early part of the second half with poor passing and ball retention allowing St. Pauls to mount sustained pressure. Fortunately for the maroons their shooting was terrible and they let the hosts off the hook time and time again. Remarkably the first score of the second half took fifteen minutes to arrive with Conall Toland slotting the ball over the bar. Bredagh continued to attack Connor O’Keefe had a point from play before Conall Toland added another to leave the scores 0-11 to 1-1 in Bredagh’s favour. The homeside then reverted back to general sloppiness failing to retain the ball. Suddenly St. Pauls found their shooting boots adding three scores without reply and missing a couple of good goal chances. Bredagh responded launching an enterprising attack with the ball moved quickly to man of match candidate Conall Toland who rounded the St. Pauls keeper and blasted home to leave the final score Bredagh 1-11 St. Pauls 1-4.
Friday 25 / 6 / 2004 - Bright 3 - 6 Bredagh 2-13
Friday 02 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 1-18 Aughlisnafinn 0-3
Although Bredagh ran out comfortable winners against Aughlisnafinn this game was marred by a nasty ankle injury to ‘Finn player Barry McDonald who unfortunately had to be ferried to hospital by ambulance. This resulted in the first half being cut short by some 8 minutes. The second half understandably was played in a rather subdued manner. Credit must go to Aughlisnafinn who played on gamely despite losing a valued team member in such tragic circumstances. All at Bredagh GAC wish Barry a speedy recovery. Final Score Bredagh 1-16 Aughlisnafinn 0-3 (Bredagh scorers; C. Toland 1-2, C. O’Keefe 0-3, J Cleary 0-2, S Matthews 0-2, J Rodgers 0-2, C O’Neill 0-1, B O’Connell 0-1, CJ Carson 0-1, P Heaney 0-1, P Carr 0-1)
Thursday 08/ 7 / 2004 - St. Michaels 1- 9 Bredagh 1 -16
The previous game between these two sides ended in a narrow one point win for St. Michaels however it was a game that Bredagh could have and should have taken something from. Since then St. Michaels have remained at the top of the league with Bredagh just off the chasing pack. The maroons travelled to the difficult Magherlin venue determined to avenge that earlier defeat and to show that they can take on and beat anyone in this division. From the throw in Bredagh dominated the important midfield sector with Brian Rice, Conall Toland and Shane Donnelly sweeping up loose ball to great effect. Brian Rice opened the scoring with a point from play before St. Michaels equalised with a soccered point. Johnny Cleary then sent over an exceptional long range free from fully 45 yards out on the sideline. Brian Rice continued to cause the homeside a few headaches fielding some excellent ball and he broke free from his marker to point from play. St. Michaels then sent a hopeful ball towards their dangerous full forward on the edge of the square the big man ran towards goal and after some great defensive play forced him wide he took a tumble near the end-line and unbelievably earned his team a penalty. The spot kick was however blasted over Ciaran O’Keefe’s bar for a single score with Bredagh feeling that justice was done. Tough tackling CJ Carson then unfortunality retired with an injured knee. Johnny Cleary pointed from a free before Brian Rice added another from play to leave the scores 0-5 to 0-2 in Bredagh’s favour. The homeside responded immediately, a raking ball broke kindly in the square and the St. Micheals man squeezed the ball past the diving Ciaran O’Keefe at the near post. St. Michaels then had another point from play to put them a point ahead for the first time. Bredagh refused to buckle with Cleary dispatching a free to equalise. St. Michaels went a point ahead soon after before the Cleary/ Rice show continued with Johnny Cleary adding one from play and Brian Rice adding two (one free) to leave the score 0-9 to 1-4 with half time fast approaching. St. Michaels had the last say with a point from play to leave the half time scores Bredagh 0-9 St. Michaels 1-5.
St. Michaels opened the scoring in the second period and for the first five minutes of the half it looked like they would run away with the game as Bredagh’s midfield struggled to impose themselves. Bredagh’s defence was excellent during these early exchanges harassing and blocking to great effect. Slowly Paddy Heaney and Brendan O’Connell got back into the game allowing Bredagh to win a greater share of possession. Johnny Cleary pointed from a free and then added two more from play. Brian Rice not to be outdone scored another great point to leave the scores 0-13 to 1-6. St. Michaels hit back with a solitary point to leave a goal between the sides. Great passing then released Conall O’Neill through on goal and just as he was about to shoot his standing leg was clipped by a home defender resulting in a penalty. Johnny Cleary stepped up but he blasted the ball over the bar for a single score to leave Bredagh ahead by a not insurmountable four points with 8 mins remaining. Brian Rice added a point from a free with St. Michaels hitting back with a point from play. Good defensive play out the park limited the homeside to shooting from bad angles and lumping in hopeful high balls which the Bredagh full back line dealt with admirably. Pete Carr then eased fears of any comeback with a trademark well taken goal. He was released by Connor O’Keefe and blasted the ball into the corner of the net past the despairing home keeper. Conall Toland then weighed in with the final score of the game from an acute angle to leave the final score Bredagh 1-16 St. Michaels 1-8. A fantastic result from a difficult venue. Bredagh’s impressive away form continues with only one loss suffered so far! Scorer’s; Johnny Cleary 0-8 (5 frees); Brian Rice 0-7 (2 frees); Pete Carr 1-0; Conall Toland 0-1.
Sunday 25 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh v Killyleagh :Game awarded to Bredagh
Friday 30 / 7 / 2004 - Bredagh 4 -13 Ballykinlar 0 - 4
Bredagh started slowly in this game with Ballykinlar going 2 points up within the first five minutes but the home team soon settled with a goal from Conall Donnelly after about 10 minutes of play following some good work by Henry Deasly.
Bredagh added on more points through Johnny Cleary and Conor O'Keefe before Cleary scored Bredagh's second goal with about 10 minutes remaining in the half.
Half-time Bredagh 2-8 - Ballykinlar 0-4.
In the second half Bredagh dominted the middle third with Ballykinlar getting only scraps of possession. Following some bad misses, Brian Rice settled his team with a third goal and this was quickly followed by a fourth from Johnny Cleary.
Sean Doherty and Eamon Vies came in mid-way through the half and done well with Vies providing Cleary with a point "that he could have scored himself!"
This was an excellent team performance from Bredagh with strong defending from full-backs Liam McGarry and Mark Scullion and good performances in the middle third for Shane Donnelly, Mark Robinson, Brendan O'Connell and Henry Deasley.
Team:
Ciaran O'Keefe,
Liam McGarry, Mark Scullion, CJ Carson
Shane Donnelly, Paul McEvoy, Rory McCaughey
Mark Robinson, Brendan O'Connell
Conall Donnelly, Henry Deasley, Kieran Rice
Conor O'Keefe, Johnny Cleary, Pat Finnegan
Subs - Conor McDaid for CJ Carson (Injured), Sean Doherty for Conor O'Keefe Eamon Vies for Conall Donnelly
Friday 13 / 8 / 2004 - Teconnaught 1- 8 Bredagh 0-3
Due to various players being on holiday and some dubious last minute cry offs a scratch Bredagh side travelled to sunny Teconnaught on Friday night to face the table topping homeside. In perfect conditions for football Teconnaught pressed the maroons hard in the first half shooting a succession of wides. Some dubious refereeing decisions angered both sides at times. Despite Teconnaught’s dominance Bredagh more than held their own in the first half with some impressive displays from Tim Shannon and Kevin Harte. Half time score Teconnaught 1-4 Bredagh 0-3. The second half continued much as the first with Teconnaught getting increasingly frustrated with their own shortcomings in front of the posts. Bredagh continued to fight hard but the forwards were starved of decent ball and a few half chances that came their way went wide. The Annacloy men were certainly throwing their weight around on occasions and following an altercation late in the half had a man stupidly lined for striking. Considering Bredagh had a weakened side and have no chance of promotion this was a gutsy display which pleased manager Ciaran O’Keefe. Final score Teconnaught 1-8 Bredagh 0-3. Bredagh scorer’s Conor O’Keefe 0-2, Kevin Harte 0-1.
Friday 20 / 8 / 2004 - Dromara v Bredagh
Championship Date
Reserve Football : Friday 14/05-Saturday 15/05/2004
Football Championship Round 1 : Thursday 5/8/-Tuesday 10/8/2004
Reserve Football Championship : Monday 16/8-Tuesday 17/8/2004
Football Championship Quarter-Final: Saturday 28/8-Sunday 29/8/2004
Football Championship Semi-Final: Saturday 28/8-Sunday 29/8/2004
Football Championship Finals: Sunday 3/10 Sunday 10/10 Sunday 17/10/2004
Junior Championship - Bredagh 0-10 Aghaderg 2-9
Bredagh players and support travelled to Dromara for this eagerly awaited Junior championship encounter with high hopes of progressing based on the back of some impressive league form lately. Unfortunately two bad fundamental errors cost the maroons dear and ended their hopes of championship glory for another year. From the throw in it was Aghaderg who settled the better with their strong half back line winning break ball around the middle and launching good ball towards their impressive full forward Simpson. Bredagh’s full back line responded well to the challenge and cut down scoring chances to the minimum with Aghaderg failing to register a score despite early pressure. The maroons then began to compete effectively around the middle of the park with Paddy Heaney and Brendan O’Connell working hard to win possession. Johnny Cleary put a placed effort wide before good passing released Pete Carr who cut inside his man and thumped the ball over the bar much to the delight of the Bredagh faithful. Aghaderg replied immediately with a well worked point from play. Bredagh then took charge playing some excellent football. Cleary uncharacteristically missed a scorable free before Rory McCaughey burst through the Aghaderg half back line and pointed an excellent long range effort. Johnny Cleary, who led the line magnificently, then quickly added another from play before a searching ball down the flank found the ever green Connor O’Keefe who turned well and slotted the ball over the bar to leave the score 0-4 to 0-1 in Bredagh’s favour. Bredagh continued to take the game to Aghaderg breaking play around the middle of the field and tackling furiously. A long ball by O’Connell was then fielded brilliantly by Cleary who took on his man and burst through on goal only to see his rasping drive well saved by the Aghaderg keeper and scrambled to safety. Another pointable free was then missed by Bredagh before Aghaderg hit back with a free to reduce the margin to two. Aghaderg began to get back into the game winning a greater portion of ball at midfield with their center halfback particularly prominent. Two more pointed close range frees left the score tied 0-4 to 0-4 with 10 mins of the half remaining. Then disaster struck for Bredagh. Shane Donnelly had possession of the ball following a short kickout and whilst under pressure inexplicably lost the ball which was intercepted by an Aghaderg forward who bore down on goal and coolly fininished past Ciaran O’Keefe. Bredagh’s heads seemed to drop after this and Aghaderg , lifted by their goal , continued to press. They added another point from play before disaster struck again! A quick kickout to Liam McGarry was lost. Again the Aghaderg forwards couldn’t believe their luck and raced through to blast the ball home for goal number two. Aghaderg tagged on another point from play as deflated Bredagh sighed in relief as the half time whistle blew. Half time Bredagh 0-4 Aghaderg 2- 5.
The second half began with Bredagh having a mountain to climb to get back into this match. Aghaderg started off determined to finish the maroons off, quickly adding a point from play. Bredagh were in no mood to give up without a fight and following a Conall O’Neill wide Johnny Cleary pointed reducing the margin to seven. Aghaderg replied from a free before Shane Matthews replaced Conall O’Neill in the Bredagh forward line. Johnny Cleary added two points from frees to leave the score 0-7 to 2-7. Conall Donnelly replaced Conor O’Keefe as Bredagh continued to put pressure on the Aghaderg defence. A nice handpassing move released Ciaran Rice in the square who despite being put under pressure managed to get a snapshot in which unfortunately sailed just over the bar for a single score. Aghaderg continued to raid quickly and purposefully when the opportunity arose. They missed a couple of scorable free’s before finally slotting one over to keep that two goal cushion intact. Bredagh threw everything into attack and registered a number of wides from good positions. Aghaderg then added a point following a good save from Ciaran O’Keefe. Eamon Vize entered the fray for Ciaran Rice as Bredagh searched desperately for goals. There was no way through the Aghaderg defence however and a couple of Cleary frees ended the scoring on the night. Final Score Bredagh 0-10 Aghaderg 2-9.
The famous boots....?
Inter-County players no longer have to pay for their own football boots these days. County boards must supply them free of charge. But it's a different story for the humble club man. We still have to buy our own and, as I found out last week, it's not an easy task. My need for a new pair of boots was first brought up by a team-mate, we'll call Rory. A former corner-forward, Rory's career has been transformed since a move to defence. Rory's 19-years-old. He holidays in Ibiza, sports a perennial tan and a shock of dyed blond hair. We haven't got a lot in common, but gaelic football has put us in the same team. (I guess this is how Peter Canavan feels).
During a recent training session, young Rory brought it to my attention that he wasn't very impressed with my choice of boots. Why, he enquired, did a man who was paid such an outrageous sum of money by the Irish News choose to wear such shabby, cheap, old boots? Being a kind and sensitive soul, I only had the heart to put him straight on one of the issues he raised. Yes, the Irish News did pay me an outrageous sum of money, but maybe not the way he imagined. On the subject of my boots, I muttered something about finding it hard to get a pair that would fit. It was a lie. Sometimes the young need to be protected from the truth and I didn't want to upset the lad. You see, young Rory recently purchased an expensive pair of boots that came complete with their own central locking, cruise control and built-in CD player. In contrast, I found my boots in the garage at home. My brother, who doesn't like football, hid them there when he was at school. That was six years ago. I wasn't always a skinflint when it came to boots. There was a time when I believed in them. There was a time, when I thought they could make a real difference. Sadly, after many wides, and many boots, I've discovered it's got nothing to do with the leather on your feet. Unfortunately, it took many seasons and a fair stash of cash to reach this conclusion. My quest for the perfect pair of boots which would allow my undoubted talent to flourish began over 20 years ago. My mother, who normally presided over such tasks, sent my father on the job. A bad start. As someone who had grown up with five brothers, he had difficulties accepting the idea of a lad having an entire pair of boots to himself. You see, in his day it was different. In his day, the six Heaney brothers shared two pairs of boots. Every match brought its own lucky dip/killing session. Sometimes you got to wear a boot, sometimes you didn't. But they didn't complain. Playing football was a sheer privilege after a daily grind of milking 40 cows by hand and walking 26 miles to school, “breaking the ice on the puddles with our big toes”. We came home with a pair of Gola Sceptres. Realising that I was a growing boy, my father took the precautionary step of buying them a few sizes too big. With a breezy confidence he informed me that football boots, like waders, should be bought at least one size too large. Later that evening, he used a brush shaft to stuff the toes of the boots with newspaper. I was assured that Pele's father did the same thing with his son's first pair of boots. I was a wiser, more savvy individual by the time I finally grew out of those boots. For my next shopping expedition, I enlisted my mother, a woman more in tune with the sophisticated needs of the burgeoning talent she was rearing. We returned triumphant with a pair of Patrick World Cup. They cost over £20, about £500 in today's money. My father threatened to make a comeback. At that price, he felt at least two people should be getting the use of them. The Patrick brand has since lost its lustre, but back in the 80s they were all the rage. They were endorsed by Michel Platini, the three-time European Footballer of the Year and French legend. I worshipped Platini (right), and my adulation grew even further when I realised that we shared the same name. Yip. Platini and Pat-Heaney (say it quickly). Our similarities were endless. He was left-footed. I'm left-footed. He was an attacking midfielder. I'm an attacking midfielder. We were one and the same. My good friend and fellow star of the future Paul Downey also tried to get in on the act. His post-goal commentaries referred to an individual called Mara-Downey. It never had quite the same ring to it, but, bless him, God loves a trier. In the intervening years, I went through more boots than Imelda Marcos. Nike, Adidas, Umbro, Mitre, Umbro and Reebok – my toes have touched them all. At the height of my powers and with the assistance of Jordanstown Gaelic Club, I managed to lever my feet into a pair of Puma Kings (the ultimate football boot), and the model now worn by Sean Cavanagh. While Sean scores four points a game, I'd manage that total over the course of a season. Each new pair of boots offered the promise of a vastly improved performance, which alas, never came. Instead, I managed to maintain an astonishing level of inconsistency while wearing a dizzying array of boots, varying in colour, shape and price. Those days of false hope are now gone. Go-faster stripes no longer impress me. Nowadays, comfort is the key feature and it was for this reason I decided to replace my brother's old pair last week. The boots themselves are fine, it's just the studs are about three inches long. They stop you from slipping only because they also stop you from running. As the ground got harder and the skin started to peel from my feet, I reckoned a change was due. Little did I realise what lay in store. It's been a few years since I bought a pair of boots. Much has changed in the interim. It's virtually impossible to buy a pair of humble, black boots. You can choose from a stunning selection of white, red, maroon and silver models. However, coloured boots present a problem to someone of my rustic origins. Wearing a pair of jazzy boots is much the same as having a sign on your jersey saying: ‘Kick me, and kick me very hard'. Where I'm from, we were taught the old Irish law which says you must attack anyone who dares to be different. I take no pride in admitting this, and I've even tried to become more tolerant. Nevertheless, whenever I see some spritely soul in a pair of silver boots, a menacing growl stirs from within. Old habits die hard.
As my background prevented me from donning anything too fancy, I was in the hunt for a pair of cheap, black boots with moulded studs. After visiting four different shops, it quickly became clear that such boots aren't stocked in Belfast. Obviously anyone with a foot bigger than a size eight is considered a mutant in County Antrim. It looked like more blisters lay in store until I had a brainwave. There was no need to buy new boots when I could simply replace the old metal studs with rubber screw-ins. The new studs cost a whopping £2.99 and tasted their first action last Friday. Not for the first time in my illustrious career, I was somewhat off-form. Passes were over-hit, mis-hit and under-hit. A few wides were also registered. One effort, a ludicrously adventurous attempt from my weaker foot is still causing unsettling flashbacks. Meanwhile, young Rory had another blinder. He ran like the wind and found a colleague with every pass. Who knows? Maybe it really has got something to do with the boots.
ACFL Division 4 : League table.
These are the top seven teams in Division 4 at the minute. We need to keep our momentum going and take as many points as possible from our last 4 games.
Click here and follow the link for 'fixtures' to see the remaining games.
| Club |
Played |
Won |
Draw |
Lost |
Points |
| Teconnaught |
14 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
25 |
| Aghaderg |
14 |
11 |
1 |
2 |
23 |
| St Michaels |
14 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
22 |
| Bredagh |
14 |
09 |
0 |
5 |
18 |
| St Pauls |
14 |
07 |
1 |
6 |
15 |
| Bright |
14 |
07 |
1 |
6 |
15 |
| Dromara |
14 |
06 |
1 |
7 |
13 |
League Reports
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