The Seniors have four games in a hectic two-week Championship schedule. The Lancashire County’s success has dictated the championship fixtures so all clubs involved, unavoidably, have a backlog of fixtures to clear. Brendan’s fixtures are as follows:

DATE: 15th July (19:30)
VENUE: Hough End
FIXTURE: St Brendan’s Vs St Peter’s (Senior Championship)

DATE: 18th July (13:00)
VENUE: Old Bedians
FIXTURE: Oisin’s Vs St Brendan’s (Senior Championship)

DATE: 22nd July (19:30)
VENUE: Turn Moss
FIXTURE: St Anne’s Vs St Brendan’s (Senior Championship)

DATE: 25th July (13:00)
VENUE: Hough End
FIXTURE: St Brendan’s Vs John Mitchell’s (Senior Championship)

Congratulations to the Lancashire Senior footballers who defeated a strong London side by 0-16 to 1-06 with an excellent display in Birmingham last Sunday in the all-Britain Championship. Special congratulations must go the Brendan’s men who performed on the day:
Alan Boyle (Donegal) at corner back
John Gibney (Dundrum/Loughinisland/Down) at full back
Stephen Molumby (Dublin) at centre half back
Nathan Plant (Lancashire) at wing half forward

All four players were central to the victory and Brendan’s can be proud of their performance. This should act as an incentive to other Brendan’s players as a run of good form can be rewarded with a call up to the county squad. Next up for Lancashire in the All-Ireland Football Junior Semi-Final is an exciting home fixture Vs the winners of the Munster championship.

St Brendan’s are always on the lookout for new players, so if you are working or studying in the Manchester area, or are considering moving there in the future you will be more than welcome to join our ambitious club. Players of all abilities are welcome. The club is happy to help out with employment, accommodation, and transport of potential players to and from training. If you are interested and would like to find out more feel free to contact:

Brian Johnston 07969314939 (brianjohnston86@hotmail.co.uk)
Mark Connolly 07855840968
Michael Toner 07595943768 (toner776@hotmail.com)
John Plant 07783391152

Email: stbrendansmanchester@googlemail.com

Visit our new website at www.stbrendansgaa.co.uk

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Vs ST ANNE’S (5th June)

The Juniors got off to a winning start in their championship campaign with a convincing and deserved win over a resilient St Anne’s team. Played at Turn Moss in perfect conditions St Brendan’s got off to a good start with a well-worked move in the forward line resulting in a Colm Conway point. A series of further scores from Conway, young Lee Gavin, and Liam Kelly effectively ended the contest before half-time. Brendan’s movement in the forward line caused Anne’s all sorts of problems, and any time Anne’s managed to break out of defence the resolute defending of Alan Boyle and Aidan McGirr ensured the Brendan’s rearguard was rarely breached. Anne’s deserve credit with their young side contesting well until the final whistle. Best for Brendan’s were Kieran Connolly, Alan Boyle, Colm Conway, and Aidan McGirr.


U-16 Vs ST MARY’S

St Brendan’s U16s had their long awaited first game of the season on Thursday 10th June against St Mary’s of Levenshulme, the winners of which were to have the rights to represent Lancashire in a specially arranged tournament in Birmingham the following Saturday. Those present at Old Bedians would have got a glimpse of the St Brendan’s junior team of the future, and no doubt names such as Collins, Breslin and Ryan will be regular features on team sheets for years to come. St Marys took to the field with a young side but were more than a match for Brendan’s in the physical department. Eventually it was the experience of Brendan’s that saw them through to victory. Particular praise goes to goalkeeper Michael Quinn for a spectacular performance in the posts. The team that night was:
1. Michael Quinn

2. JJ Dean

3. Harvey Derby

4. Michael Roan

5. Ciaran Lydon

6. Michael Collins

7. Patrick Collins (c)

8. Tom Webb

9. Anthony O’Brien

10. Rory Breslin

11. Sean Ryan

12. Liam Moloney

13. Patrick Mitchel

Subs: Sean Ried

James Parry

Aiden Rahman

A big thank you from the club goes to all the parents for their continued co operation and support.
All those travelling to Birmingham on Saturday are to be at St Kent’s social club at 11am and should be back in Manchester at 6pm at the latest.

Training for Lancashire U16s continues every Tuesday at 7pm at Hough End. Anyone interested in playing underage football for St Brendan’s please contact any club officer, details of which can be found on the contacts page. Players of all ages and abilities will be made very welcome.


SENIOR LEAGUE Vs ST PETER’S (13th June)

St Brendan’s warmed up for their Senior Championship campaign with a good performance against rivals St Peter’s at Hough End. Despite both teams missing a handful of first team regulars, they played out a hard-fought match with plenty of good individual performances to note. An early free kick was awarded to Brendan’s when the free-striding Colm Conway was hauled down 21 yards from goal, and Brian Johnston dispatched the resultant free confidently between the posts. Brendan’s high intensity tackling forced a Peter’s defender to foul the ball in his area and the referee was quick to award a penalty. Liam Kelly fired into the corner of the net to put Brendan’s further in front. Peter’s responded with a couple of scores before Michael Toner put Brendan’s further in front when he split the posts from wide on the left hand side. Another Johnston free put Brendan’s further in front but Peter’s hit back with 3 unanswered points to leave the half-time score at 1-03 to 0-05.

Brendan’s started the second half with fire in their bellies and Dubliner Stephen Molumbey came to the fore with a tidy finish off his favoured left foot and followed this up with a phenomenal 60 yard effort. Peter’s came into the game once again with a series of breakaway points and Brendan’s were made to rue their wayward finishing when Peter’s levelled the game up with two minutes remaining on the clock. The look of disappointment on the faces of the Brendan’s players at the final whistle told its own story and they will look on this as points lost rather than a point gained. The match, hard but fair throughout, was a good workout for the lads just a week prior to their championship opener against St Lawrence’s. Best for Brendan’s were Alan Boyle, Nathan Plant, and the young full-forward line duo of Colm Conway and Lee Gavin.

Final score: St Brendan’s 1-08 St Peter’s 0-11.

Team and scorers:

Richard Jones
Cillian Young
Alan Boyle
Tony Kelly
Fintan Harkin
James Mulligan
Stephen Molumbey (0-2)
James O’Shaughnessy
Tommy McIlroy
Nathan Plant
Liam Kelly (1-0 penalty)
Michael Toner (0-1)
Colm Conway (0-1)
Brian Johnston (0-4, 3 frees)
Lee Gavin


St Brendan’s are always on the lookout for new players, so if you are working or studying in the Manchester area, or are considering moving there in the future you will be more than welcome to join our ambitious club. Players of all abilities are welcome. The club is happy to help out with employment, accommodation, and transport of potential players to and from training. If you are interested and would like to find out more feel free to contact:
Brian Johnston 07969314939 (brianjohnston86@hotmail.co.uk)

Mark Connolly 07855840968

Michael Toner 07595943768 (toner776@hotmail.com)

John Plant 07783391152
Email: stbrendansmanchester@googlemail.com

WOLFETONE CUP Vs ST PETER’S

The Juniors impressed in their victory over St Peter’s in the first match of their Wolfetone Cup defence played last Thursday evening at Hough End. Brendan’s made all of the early running and went ahead through a well taken John Collins point in the 3rd minute. Collins and young Colm Conway opened up the Peter’s defence shortly after but Kelly’s shot trickled disappointingly wide when he looked certain to score. Kelly atoned for his miss and lacklustre start by putting Collins through in the 10th minute and Collins made no mistake, arrowing a decisive strike into the top corner from all of 21 yards out. Fintan Harkin and James Mulligan dominated proceedings at midfield, with Harkin in particular giving an exhibition of high fielding and direct running and passing. Nathan Plant got forward well from wing half back to join in the attack at every opportunity. Harkin, Carey, Plant, and Collins (1-04) chipped in with further scores and St Peter’s responded with a point from a free. Brendan’s went into the interval 2-08 to 0-01 ahead.

Peter’s responded well to their disappointing first half showing and showed a spirited second half performance. Brendan’s remained in control during the second half and finished up convincing winners in a good spirited encounter.

Brendan’s team and scorers:

Richard Jones
Fergal Campbell
Alan Boyle
Tony Kelly
Chris Connolly
Nathan Plant (0-01)
Fintan Harkin (0-01)
James Mulligan (0-01)
Patrick Carey (0-02)
John Collins (2-07, 4 frees)
Paul Greggs (0-03)
Liam Kelly
Colm Conway (0-02)
Rory Maguire for Liam Kelly (h-t) (0-02)


PENNINE LEAGUE Vs JOHN MITCHELL’S

The Seniors were knocked out of the Pennine League by holders John Mitchell’s at the semi-final stage last Sunday in Liverpool. Played in baking hot conditions, St Brendan’s started well and took the game to Mitchell’s but were caught out by 3 well taken points in quick succession. Brendan’s got into their stride when Tommy McIlroy and James O’Shaughnessy began to exert an influence at midfield, and an impressive burst through the centre of Mitchell’s defence from Dubliner Stephen Molumbey saw Brendan’s peg Mitchell’s back, with Molumbey firing past the Mitchell’s keeper in style. A John Collins point from close range was followed up when Gareth Owens fired over from distance shortly after, and a stunning sideline ball effort from Molumby put Brendan’s into the lead going into the interval. Happy with the lead but disappointed with the number of opportunities missed, the lads were made to rue the fact that they had not made more of the breeze in the first half.
In the second half Mitchell’s, in typical fashion, moved the ball out of defence confidently and kept possession well to tire Brendan’s legs in the draining conditions. Brendan’s remained in touch until a well taken Mitchell’s goal gave the Liverpool lads some breathing space. Despite their best efforts, Brendan’s went down to a final scoreline of 1-10 to 1-05. Although disappointed to lose in the semi final the lads can take plenty of positives from the match, and the higher level of competition faced in the Pennine League should prepare the lads better for the Championship than last year.

Richard Jones
Chris Connolly
James Mulligan
Fintan Harkin
Stephen Molumbey (1-01)
Nathan Plant
Tommy McIlroy (0-01)
James O’Shaughnessy
Liam Kelly (0-01 from free)
Gareth Owens (0-01)
John Collins (0-01)
Michael Toner
Colm Conway
Fergal Campbell for Chris Connolly

The Seniors travelled to the Isle of Man on Saturday 8th May for their first Senior League game of the season where they disposed of Ellan Vannin Gaels by a scoreline of 4-18 to 1-05. Early scores from John Gibney (2x45s), Brian Johnston, Michael Toner, and Colm Conway put St Brendan’s on their way. The match was a useful workout and the club would like to thank Gaels for their hospitality after the match.
The Seniors faced Oisin’s at Hough End last weekend in their final Pennine League group match and came away with a hard fought draw. Brendan’s were fast out of the traps and raced into a commanding half time lead of 1-07 to 0-04, with Oisin’s struggling to contain the evergreen Cathal Brennan in full forward. Oisin’s clawed their way back into the encounter with a strong 2nd half showing. Final score was 1-08 to 1-08. Best for Brendan’s were Nathan Plant, Tommy McIlroy, Cathal Brennan, and Gareth Owens.
St Brendan’s superior score difference over Oisin’s leaves them in 3rd place in the group and they take on cup holders John Mitchell’s of Liverpool this coming weekend. The Liverpool lads have home advantage and the match is currently scheduled for Sunday at 1pm although it is subject to change.
The Juniors begin their defence of the Wolfetone Cup on Thursday evening when they take on St Peter’s in a repeat of last year’s final. The competition format has now changed and excludes senior 12 players but the lads are keen to retain their title having worked so hard to win it last year. All players are asked to meet at Hough End for 6:45 sharp.

St Brendan’s are always on the lookout for new players, so if you are working or studying in the Manchester area, or are considering moving there in the future you will be more than welcome to join our ambitious club. Players of all abilities are welcome. The club is happy to help out with employment, accommodation, and transport of potential players to and from training. If you are interested and would like to find out more feel free to contact:
Brian Johnston 07969314939 (brianjohnston86@hotmail.co.uk)

Mark Connolly 07855840968

Michael Toner 07595943768 (toner776@hotmail.com)

John Plant 07783391152
Email: stbrendansmanchester@googlemail.com

The juniors ran out comfortable winners on Saturday in the junior league when they saw off a spirited performance from Ellan Vannin Gaels at Hough End. The final score was 4-15 to 2-07. Full credit to the lads from the Isle of Man as they made St Brendan’s work for the points. From a St Brendan’s point of view there were good performances from the younger members of the team.

St Brendan’s scorers were:

Colm Conway 1-06

Thomas Burke 0-03

Liam Kelly 0-04

Matthew Hassel 2-01

Damien Kerr 1-01

Nathan Plant 0-01
The Juniors are at home to John Mitchell’s tonight in the junior league. All players are asked to be at Hough End for 7pm.

The Seniors travel to the Isle of Man on Saturday morning for their first Senior League game of the season where they take on Ellan Vannin Gaels. Players are to contact committee members to finalise travel details, and all outstanding monies are to be paid by Saturday at the latest. Players must have passports with them for the trip!!

St Brendan’s are always on the lookout for new players, so if you are working or studying in the Manchester area, or are considering moving there in the future you will be more than welcome to join our ambitious club. Players of all abilities are welcome. The club is happy to help out with employment, accommodation, and transport of potential players to and from training. If you are interested and would like to find out more feel free to contact:
Brian Johnston 07969314939 (brianjohnston86@hotmail.co.uk)

Mark Connolly 07855840968

Michael Toner 07595943768 (toner776@hotmail.com)

John Plant 07783391152
The club’s new website is at the final stages of design and is due to be launched shorty.
Email: stbrendansmanchester@googlemail.com