Casements win Breslin Cup for the First Time
24th September 2023
Breslin Cup Final
Casement’s 2-7 St. Enda’s 0-5
The Breslin Cup rests in the clubrooms of Roger Casements for the first time after a good win over St. Enda’s in a sometimes bad tempered final at Whitehill on Sunday.
The trophy was named after former Portglenone player, Alastair Breslin who tragically passed away 19 years ago and it was fitting that his sister, Ciara Kearney was there to present it to captain, Tom Duffin after the game.
As the rain came down in Randalstown it was St. Enda’s Darragh Mooney who shot the Hightown side ahead with a point from a mark after 30 seconds but it would be another 10 minutes before Conor Burns would hit the equaliser for the Portglenone lads.
St. Enda’s were enjoying the better of the play during the opening exchanges but were being frustrated by a strong Portglenone defence who gave an exhibition of blocking over the hour.
Both sides created and wasted further chances before Cathaoir McKenna restored the St. Enda’s advantage with a good point in the 20th minute but a great point in response from Frank McAleese suddenly brought the Casement’s to life.
Towering mid-fielder, Odhran Doherty struck two excellent pointed frees and another from Conor Burns moved the Bannsiders 0-5 to 0-2 ahead at the break.
It was St. Enda’s who started the second half as they had the first and Darragh Rooney fired over in the opening minute to close the gap to two. Cahair McKenna and Thomas Mooney followed with two more in quick succession and it looked like the Glengormley side were gaining control.
Portglenone had other ideas and they recovered from a slow start to put an excellent move together with Conor McKeever soloing through for a well taken goal in the 6th minute and suddenly there was four between the sides.
The opposition tried to respond and Darragh Mooney was just wide following a strong run from just inside the Portglenone half and as his side continued to press, Ruiri Scullion had his shot charged down by another excellent block.
Odhran Doherty extended the Casement’s lead with a point in the 15th minute as St. Enda’s began to ring the changes in an attempt to get their game going again but their opponents would strike a telling blow soon after.
Once again they built methodically before opening up the St. Enda’s defence and Conor Burns palmed an astute fisted pass from Conor McKeever to the St. Enda’s net.
Layden O’Neill pulled one back for St. Enda’s in the 26th minute as they fought in vain to get back into the game but it would be their final score and it was impressive Port’s mid-fielder, Odhran Doherty who would conclude the scoring with an injury time point.
An excellent performance from the young Casements and after a slow start they always had the edge in a game that was littered by petty fouls and squabbles.
Portglenone were strong and organised in defence with Conall Morgan, Christy McDonnell and Tom Convery dominant in a unit whose ability to block was a feature of the game.
At mid-field Odhran Doherty led by example while Conor Burns, Conor McKeever and Phelim McCloskey impressed in a lively attacking unit.
St. Enda’s gave it everything on the day with the final score-line was a bit unkind to them but they just couldn’t turn good possession into enough scores and that would prove their downfall in the end.
Darragh Mooney, Cahaoir McKenna, Ryan Donaldson, Layden O’Neill, Conaire Smith and Ruairi Scullion were their best performers on the day.
