Of the seven Adult Teams St Brendan’s field across all codes, The Football 2nd XV have yet to record a win so far in 2026. The 2nd XV has recorded recent comprehensive losses against O ‘Tooles and St Annes, but on May 11th, the 2nds, in partnership with Stoneybatter Pride of Place showed positive signs what was to come when holding St Brigid’s to a 3-7 to 1-13 draw. The Landlord Andy Moran with 2 goals and Fergal ‘I Am Maximus’ Lyons with the single goal, but it took a late injury time free in from The Banner Raiser Brian Hobbins to rescue a priceless League Point.
Hopes were high that a first AFL10A win was imminent, when Good Counsel Liffey Gaels made the short hop over the river Liffey for this League fixture.
It took three minutes for The Darkest Force to open the scoring thanks to The Landlord Andy Moran after Cillian Gallagher came off the shoulder off The Banner Raiser Brian Hobbins to take the pass and in turn pass to Moran for the goal.
‘The Professionals’ of Conor ‘Doyle’ Hayden, Conor ‘Bodie’ Harris, and Conor ‘Cowley’ Walsh, teamed up to make the move to allow Fergal ‘I Am Maximus’ Lyons to score point number 2. John ‘Tesla’ Tuffy was furious with himself when he allowed the away side in for a goal. A Minute later, a second goal was scored. Alan ‘Mack Hansen’ Pierce had Tuffy in a better frame of mind when winning a turnover and allowed Moran to shoot low and into the net, 1-2 to 2-0.
11 minutes gone and The Banner Raiser Brian Hobbins hit a lop sided shot that just went over the bar to level the contest. Hobbins then hit a tremendous goal to put three between the sides with Ritchie ‘Blackmore’ O’Hara supplying the final pass.
16:25 gone and the gap was widened to 4 points, 2-4 to 2-0 with Hobbins again with a free in. The away side scored a single point which could almost been a two pointer, but the scorer was just inside the 40 meter arc.
Moran continued to boss the centre forward line and hit another point, Corner Back The Wild Atlantic Way Mark Hickey produced some brilliant defending by forcing the GCLG forward to hit a goal bound shot into the side netting. The points kept coming and Gallagher was next on the scoresheet with a point in a move which started with a turnover at corner back from the dream Maker Sean Dardis.
Good Time Niall Rogers came on as a substitute and wasted no time making his mark on the contest with a low shot into the net to make it 3-6 to 2-1.
24:16 gone and the tally was 3-7 thanks to a point from play from Conor ‘Cowley’ Walsh. Gallagher continued his good scoring form with point number 8. John Tuffy showed his fellow backs this is how you defend with a super block to deny the away side.
Goalkeeper Ken Byrne made an Eoghan Clogher style clearance and pass onto Paul O’Donnell and finally onto Brian Hobbins and goal number 4, so far so good for The Darkest Force to lead at half time, 4-8 to 2-2.
Andy Moran started the second half with a point from play after 20 seconds, Niall Rogers also pointed a minute later. Moran then hit the fifth St Brendan’s goal after excellent work from O’Donnell and O’Hara. The match went into a lull for the next 15 minutes with no realistic chances of shots for either side.
But with 10 minutes to go, the game woke up a small bit with a point by Hobbins from play after a foul on new French player Lorenzo. Shane Feeney emptied his bench by putting on another French player Solal, as well as Chris Collins and Billy Kelly.
Hobbins kept the scoreboard ticking with the 12th point for his side, from a free in. Good Counsel Liffey Gaels ensured they didn’t have a second half shut out by winning a penalty and converting it. However, Ken Byrne would have saved the penalty if he had stood still, because the shot went straight down the middle, A fourth goal was scored from play and then the two French players, Loranzo and Solol teamed up to set up Good Time Niall Rogers to wrap up the evening’s scoring with a well taken goal and with it, St Brendan’s 2nd's first win of the 2026 season.
Focus now turns to next Monday and a fixture against Ballyboden St Enda’s. Final Score from Longmeadows, St Brendan’s 6-13. Good Counsel Liffey Gaels 4-4.
1. Ken byrne, 2. Sean dardis, 3. John tuffy, 4. Mark Hickey, 5. Paul o donnell, 6. Dave mcelester, 7. Conor hayden, 8. Alan pierce, 9. Conor Harris, 10. Richie o hara, 11. Andy moran, 12. Conor walsh, 13. Brian Hobbins, 14. Fergal lyons, 15. Cillian gallagher
