Following the defeat, and the shocking manner of the defeat against Scoil Uí Chonaill last Wednesday evening. It was do or die this Wednesday evening for the St Brendan's Ladies 1st XV, Sponsored by McGowans, as the team travelled to a wind and rain swepted Farnham Drive in Finglas for a crucial Junior B Championship encounter against Erins Isle. The Rain eased off prior to throw in.

The ladies from Finglas started off brightly with two points inside the opening three minutes, the first of which was inside the first 25 seconds. Despite wides from Sinead Morrissey (from a free in) and Faye 'Dunaway' Kearney (from open play) Roisin McDonald got The Female Dark Force on the board with a point after a turnover from Sophie 'The Model' Freeman.

The score remained two points to one for the next 10 minutes with a shot from Erins Isle hitting the butt of the post and a second shot going straight into the breadbasket of Karen O'Connell and cleared by Aoife McGourty. Despite the sluggish start, St Brendan's got motoring shortly before the first half water break when Niamh 'Moonlighting' Willis played the ball into the square when Sinead Morrissey won possession and produced a daisy cutter into the back of the net.

After the swig of the magic bottle we had the same situtaion as we had beforehand, except the other way round where Morrissey played the ball into the square, caught by Willis and finished into the back of the net. The Mullingar Dynamo would hit a free in from 25 meters after a high tackle on Kearney.

Aisling Newton's bid for a goal ended when a shot hit the palm of the goalkeeper's hand and defected off the crossbar and cleared, 20 seconds later, Karen O'Connell was beaten for goal, 2-2 to 1-2.

St Brendan's were playing with the wind in the first half and Roisin McDonald made the wind do its work when a long distance shot sailed between the posts and a 4 point lead. That lead became 5 with a Morrissey point from play.

After a wide from The Isles, Karen O'connell's kickout went over the players heads but as far as Niamh Willis, who played a good ball to Karen Tigue and The Enniscrone Tiger went one on one with the goalkeeper but kicked her shot high and over the bar, despite the score, she felt disappointted not to raise a green play but nevertheless, its a six point lead for St Brendan's at half time 2-5 to 1-2.

Any anxieties Robert Kelly had about a second half shut out against the wind were evaporated big time in the opening minute of the second half with a goal from Aisling Newton who barged through the Isles defence with a goal, the third of the evening, after great play from Sam Kinsella.

After a McDonald wide, The Malin Head Giant made amends an minute later with a point after collecting a pass from Shauna 'Jet' Fitzpatrick, then bobbed this way and that to pick her spot to kick over the bar. 3-6 to 1-2

An Isles kickout went over the sideline, Karen Tigue played the sideline ball to Faye 'Dunaway' Kearney and against the wind pointed the second point of the second half. Indeed it turned out to be a brace for Kearney after great play from Sam Kinsella. St Brendan's ensured Erins Isle remained scoreless until shortly before the second half water break, with a great save from Karen O'Connell, and a free in which was played short but Pamela Gaskin was on hand to stop the ball from going into the net. The Isles did get the score prior to the second half water break. 3-8 to 1-3.

Scoring opportunites were at a premium for St Brendan's in the final quarter with a free in that went wide by Sinead Morrissey, the only bid for a score in that period. Erins Isle only return in that same period was only two points as the game petered out to its conclusion in the fading light of Farnham Drive and a crucial 9 point victory for St Brendan's.

Victory next Wednesday over the winless Croi Ro Naofa/Robert Emmets combo, will secure a sixth consecutive Championship Semi Final.

Final Score from Farnham Drive St Brendan's 3-8 Erins Isle 1-5.

Meanwhile in Saggart, the St Brendan's Ladies 2nd XV made faced St Mary's Saggart in the Semi Final of the Junior G Shield and ran out comfortable 3-14 to 0-4 winners and reach a second Final of this competition in three years, with Rebecca McLaughlin, Poilina Mullan and Marina Kilduff getting the majors. The Female Darkest Force now travel to Blanchardstown next Wednesday evening to face St Peregines in the Final.