>>March Reports

Penine League

John Mitchels v St Brendans - 23/5/10 Greenbank

Liverpool John Mitchels 1-10 v St Brendan’s Manchester 1-05

Mitchel’s faced a tough challenge against the resurgent St Brendan’s from Manchester in the Semi-Final of the Pennine League final at Greenbank. St Brendan’s elected to play 13 a-side, allowed for within the rules of the Pennine League. With the large Greenbank pitch and the blazing sun fitness would therefore prove a major factor.

Mitchel’s started brightly with two nice points from the magnanimous Seamus Martin. Further points from Paul Milanaphy and Patrick Murphy put the Mitchel’s ahead in the opening 15 minutes. However, a goal and three points from St Brendan’s left the score line 1-03 to 0-05 at half-time.

Mitchel’s as defending champions of the Pennine League had a major point to prove and came out in the second half with fire in their bellies.

St Brendan’s and the large crowd saw a fantastic “50” knocked over by Patrick Murphy followed by some nice points from Paul “Milan” and Seamus Martin. St Brendan’s tried in vain to reduce the gap in the scoreline but ultimately fell short.

With the sun proving a major factor on the teams stamina Mitchel’s made good work of substitutions, proving a decisive factor in the end. In particular, Philip Duddy’s constant running proved too much for the St Brendan’s rear guard. Patrick Murphy added to the Mitchel’s score-line with a well taken goal following some nice movements of passing. The final score of the game came from half back Joe Gervin, leaving the scoreline 1-10 to 1-05 at full time.

St Brendans will feel disappointed with the result but no doubt they will be a tough challenge for any team in the Lancashire Senior Championship.

In the other semi-final Oisins pulled off a fantastic win against the, up until then, unbeaten Cu Chulainns of Newcastle.

The final of the Pennine League between Mitchel’s and Oisins is provisionally arranged for 1pm on Sunday 30th May 2010 at Liverpool’s Greenbank. Please however, check with PRO’s of the respective clubs prior to the weekend for confirmation of date and time.

Mitchel’s team v St Brendans
(half time 0-05, 1-03; full time 1-10, 1-05)

Mattie Deeney
John O’Hagan
Gary Dillion
Joe Donaghy
Sean Rice
Anthony Brady
Sean McMahon
Conor Nugent
Joe Gervin 0-01
Seamus Martin 0-03
Kevin Kane
Paul Milanaphy 0-04
Patrick Murphy 1-02

Subs
Gareth Dooley for Mattie Deeney
Philip Duddy for Conor Nugent
Alan Brown for Sean McMahon
Lorcan McGonigal for Joe Donaghy
Daragh Aspell or Seamus Martin

Penine League

John Mitchels v St Lawerences - 17/4/10 Greenbank

Liverpool John Mitchels 2-13 v St Brendan’s Manchester 3-07

SENIOR PENNINE LEAGUE 2010

Cup holders Mitchels took on St Lawerences of Manchester in their second home Pennine League match on Saturday evening. At the request of Lawrences the match was played as a 13-a-side.

Mitchels started the game well under the Greenbank sunshine with early points from debutant Mattie Brennan (brother of Mitchel's stalwart Padraig Brennan) and Paul Melanaphy. A great run through the Lawerence's defence by Sean Rafter was spotted by Joe Gervin and Rafter dummied the keeper and slotted the leather-case in the right hand corner.

St Lawerences lunched a speculative 50 yard sideline ball into the Mitchels square which dropped in under the hands of Peter Farrelly. The Mitchels full back in Gary Dillion and Alan Brown were resolute up to this point. Anto Brady chipped in with a point and Sean Rice and captain for the day Brian Carson played well with Anto in the half back line.

Padraig Brennan replaced Colly McMenamin at half time and had a great impact chipping in with a goal and two points. His brother Mattie, having a great game in the full forward line, also added two points from play. Not to be out-done the diminutive Paul “Milan” hit two nice frees and two points from play. The two midfielders for Mitchels Sean “Chick” McMahon and Sean Rafter added a point each.

Trevor Meagan replaced Joe Donaghy, who had a good game in the half-forward line, and he was instantly involved in a few tussles with the unsuspecting Lawerences’ players. Meagan taking the higher ground continued to play his football and knocked a couple of nice points over the bar. To be fair to Lawrences they continued to pick away at the Mitchels lead and scoring two goals in the second half proved this. A doubtful penalty, towards the dying minutes of the game, added credibility to the score line for Lawerences.

There was a welcome return to the Mitchels team with a substitute appearance from Paddy Mulligan who has been out for five months with a groin injury. Kevin Kane also made his 2010 debut for Mitchels and was glad to get some match action under his belt. An old face in the Mitchels set-up John McDermott also braved the elements also and assisted in umpire duties for the match.

Mitchels will be buoyed by their third win in a row in the Pennine League and four wins out of four in all competitions. With the numbers at training and competition for places in every position Mitchels will hope to continue to add to this record.

MATCH FACTS:

Half-time score JM 1-7 St Lawrences 1-3

Full time score JM 2-13 St Lawrences 3-7

13 a side game Scorers in brackets after name

Team

1. Peter Farrelly
2. Gary Dillon
3. Alan Brown
4. Anthony Brady (0-1)
5. Brian Carson
6. Sean Rice
7. Sean Mc Mahon (0-1)
8. Sean Rafter (1-1)
9. Colly Mc Menamin
10. Joe Donaghey
11. Joe Gervin
12. Paul Melanaphy (0-4)
13. Mattie Brennan (0-2)

Subs

Padraig Brennan (1-2) for Colly Mc Menamin H/T
Trevor Meegan (0-2) for Joe Donaghey
Mattie Deeney for Peter Farrelly
Kevin Kane for Alan Brown
Paddy Mulligan for Sean Rafter