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Senior Championship

John Mitchels v St Lawerences - 22/7/10 - Turn Moss

Liverpool John Mitchels 3-12 v St Lawerences Manchester 0-04

For the travelling Mitchel’s team the fine summer’s evening in Manchester was in stark contrast to the repugnant rain in Liverpool. Ideal playing conditions set the scene for a largely equal first half. Mitchel’s started the brightest with nearly 100% possession in the first ten minutes. Despite this the shooting boots were left in Liverpool and numerous wides and balls dropping short ensued. This Mitchel’s dominance, but lack of scoring, was followed by a Lawrence’s governance for 10 mintues whereby they scored two well taken points.

Mitchel’s finally got off the mark with scores from Patrick Murphy, John McDermott and Paul Milanaphy. A counter-attack score from Lawrence’s left the scores a draw on the 25 minute mark. Further scores from Lorcan McGonigal and Kevin Kane left he scores 0-06 to 0-03 at half time.

Strong words from the Mitchel’s management team at half time saw Mitchel’s take the field with the gear firmly in fifth. This combined with superior fitness to St Lawerence’s saw a white-wash second half. The Mitchel’s turn around started with fine scores from half-time substitution Gary Trainor, Paul Milanaphy and Pauric Brennan. Point after point from Mitchel’s was countered with a rare Lawerence’s break, resulting in the whole half just one point.

The traditional second half cameo introduction of Patrick Mulligan resulted in a familiar composure brought to the Mitchel’s play. A great range of passing coupled with two fantastic close range goals and a point, meant Mulligan left his mark on another game. A blatant pull down of Pauric Brennan in the Lawrence’s twelve yard box resulted in a coolly taken penalty by the familiar boot of Philip “Digestive” Duddy. Duddy, a seasoned Mitchel’s campaigner, has a Gaelic penalty record similar to soccer’s Matt Le Tissier.

Despite some glimmer’s of agreeable football from St Lawerence’s Brian Colton, the Mitchel’s full back line in Anto Brady, Gary “Banjo” Dillion and Colm McGonigle were rarely tested. The half back line in Brian Carson, Sean Rice and Sean Hollyoak again proved a formidable ally to the Mitchels forward line, breaking down Lawrence’s attacks and setting up scores. John McDermott had his best game of the season in midfield whilst his colleague for the day, Sean “the Grafter” Rafter put in his usual hard-working shift. Mitchels forward line looked like it received cardiopulmonary resuscitation at half time and this new lease of life sparked a dramatic Mitchels resurrection. The diminutive Paul Milan, Pauric Breenan and Gary Trainor were all brilliant in the second half.

Mitchel’s management team in Barry Morris, Danny McDonagh and Rory Hollyoak will be satisfied with the result and second half performance; however, they will be acutely aware of the more challenging competition ahead in Lancashire.

Mitchel’s have claimed their second senior championship Manchester scalp in a week but the might of St Brendan’s on Sunday 25 July at Hough End will prove a greater battle.

MATCH FACTS:

Half-time score JM 0-06 St Lawrences 0-03

Full time score JM 3-12 St Lawrences 0-04


Team

1. Gareth Dooley
2. Anthony Brady
3. Gary Dillon
4. Colm McGonigle
5. Brian Carson
6. Sean Rice
7. Sean Hollyoak
8. John McDermott (0-01)
9. Sean Rafter
10. Kevin Kane (0-01)
11. Philip Duddy (1-01)
12. Patrick Murphy (0-02)
13. Paul Melanaphy (0-01)
14. Lorcan McGonigle (0-01)
15. Mattie Brennan

Subs

Padraig Brennan (0-1) for Mattie Brennan
Gary Trainor (0-3) for Kevin Kane
Patrick Mulligan (2-1) for Patrick Murphy
Conor Nugent for Sean Rafter
Sean McMahon for Sean Rice

Senior Championship

John Mitchels v Oisins - 15/7/10 Greenbank

Liverpool John Mitchels 0-18 v St Brendan’s Manchester 0-05

The Lancashire Championship holders Mitchels took on St Oisins of Manchester in their second Senior Championship match on Thursday evening, 15 July.

The ominous clouds over Liverpool throughout the day inevitably resulted in rain which had little impact on the standard of football played. Mitchels set out of the traps at a great pace notching up great points from full forward Micky Molloy and wing half back Brian Carson. Oisins treated intermittently with scores from Swifty and their full forward line, however they will rue the number of shots which landed in the Matthew Deeney’s hands and the Mitchels full back line which consisted of Anthony Brady (Captain), John O’Hagan and Gary “the Banjo” Dillon. Any Oisins attack which survived the tough tackling Mitchels’ half back line of Sean Rice, Brian Carson and Sean Hollyoak had to further attempt to manoeuvre the equally as strong Mitchels full back line.

Mitchels made light work of the Oisins defence adding eight points in the first half thanks to fine points from Micky Molloy and Lorcan McGonigal leaving it 0-08 to 0-03 at half time.

The second half started and ended where the first half ended with Mitchels dominating in all areas of the Greenbank pitch. Mitchels midfield in John McDermott and Sean Rafter continually broke the ball down to Mitchels half-forward line, in Cathir Mullan, Kevy Kane and Pauric Brennan. These three continued to work the ball into the Oisins full back line and time and time again it was that Micky Molloy man producing the end result. Further stylish points from Cathir Mullan, Kevy Kane and John McDermott effectively put the game to bed.

Mitchels made a number of substitutions introducing team captain for the year Patrick Mulligan, Pauric Brennan’s brother Matthew Brennan, Patrick Murphy and Joe Gervin. All showed what they can do helping out throughout the field. Mulligan made an instant impact bringing that air of coolness to the pitch which he’s synonymous with and Mattie Brennan ever elusive in corner forward. Gervin’s first touch was a point and second an assist to Murphy who hit his first and second scores in his debut senior championship for Mitchels.

In conclusion, Oisins could do little to contain a rejuvenated Mitchels team. Man of the match was the magnificent Micky Molloy who was masterful in his ball control and shooting throughout the game.

Mitchels take on St Lawerences on Thursday 22 July, again at Greenbank, in their third Senior Championship game of the 2010 season.

MATCH FACTS:

Half-time score JM 0-08 Oisins 0-03

Full time score JM 0-18 Oisins 0-05


Team

1. Matthew Deeney
2. John O’Hagan
3. Gary Dillon
4. Anthony Brady
5. Brian Carson (0-01)
6. Sean Rice
7. Sean Hollyoak
8. Sean Rafter
9. John McDermott (0-01)
10. Pauric Brennan
11. Kevin Kane (0-01)
12. Cathir Mullan (0-01)
13. Paul Milanaphy (0-01)
14. Michael Molloy (0-08)
15. Lorcan McGonigal (0-01)

Subs

Matthew Brennan (0-01)for Paul Milanaphy
Patrick Mulligan for John McDermott
Patrick Murphy (0-02) for Lorcan McGonigal
Joe Gervin (0-01) for Pauric Brennan