An overcast evening at Trafford Metrovics created a hot and sticky atmosphere, the type of evening when you want a thunderstorm to clear the air and bring some relief but it was a storm of a different kind that both teams served up following the throw-in.

Going into the match both teams had exhibited some good form and the Lawrence's men had won 2 out of 3 of their previous League matches. St. Brendan's have ruled the roost in the last few years and they had won 10 out of 10 of their League matches last season as well as deservedly claiming the title in the League final decider. Both camps knew this match would have a big impact on this year's overall standings particularly given Liverpool's John Mitchell's recent revival.

Taking their cue from the impending elements, from the outset this was a tempestuous affair with no quarter given from either side, there was an appetite for the hard hitting Gaelic football of yesteryear on display and the referee was prepared to let things take their course.

With such physicality engaged from both sides in the early stages it was the quality of the football that suffered and whilst the battles between each respective player multiplied the scoreboard did not, indeed it wasn't until the 13th minute that this brutal deadlock was broken with St. Lawrence's stalwart Brian O'Connor splitting the posts after a trademark battle for space.

It was to be the pattern of the 1st half and it was O'Connor who registered again on 15 minutes to put the Stretford men 0-2 up.

The fact that it took the defending League champions 23 minutes before they opened their account tells it's own story about the level of intensity and defending that the Lawrence's men were mustering, as it was not that Brendan's had been without the ball, attack after attack often started by their midfield powerhouse Devine, had been repelled but eventually due to sheer weight of pressure the Sale men were rewarded with an extremely hard won point.

O'Connor added another before Lawrence's midfield dynamo Dan Turley took off on trade mark run and pointed neatly to leave the score 0-4 to 0-1 after 29 mins.

Brendan's responded with a score before Lawrence's debutant Conor Hayden opened his own account with a well worked score, it wasn't to be his last involvement and the newly recruited Westmeath man showed throughout that evening that he will be a great addition to the Lawrence's side in the coming months.

As the half-time whistle blew after a strength sapping 35 minutes the Lawrence's lads went in with an unexpected 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

Talk in the Lawrence's huddle during the break was all about what to expect in the second half an the undoubted response that would come from St. Brendan's, continued intensity would be key and the first score of the next half vital.

The talk worked and from the resumption the Lawrence's men won the ball and Dan Turley was able to take off from the midfield melee again and get his second of the night, this started a flurry as the Lawrence's boys pressurised every kick out and possession with a wanton hunger leading to turnovers and two unanswered scores from Hayden and a third from O'Connor. Brendan's responded with a score of their own before Lawrence's plundered two more. The score 0-11 to 0-3 with 20 minutes left to play.

Given the brutal nature of this attritional hard hitting game substitutions were required on both sides and young Declan Connolly was introduced from the Lawrence's bench replacing Aiden McNally who had got through a power of work in the first half. Connolly, a product of the underage scheme has come of age in recent months and he stepped unphased into the fray and registered almost immediatley after his own hard work coughed him the ball.

Michael Flannery was the next called from the bench and he replaced Sean Walsh who despite carrying an injury had put in a great shift packed with his usual agression and hard running.

Flannery was last seen in goal for St. Lawrence's but given the return of last year's goalkeeping hero Jonny Phair and Flannery's outfield skills he had been saved for a forward role tonight and within minutes it was him bearing down on goal and he duly disptached to make the score 1-12 to 0-5 with 10 minutes or so to go.

The intensity didn't let up from either side and a wounded St. Brendan's continued to fight to the end and traded a couple of scores with Lawrence's with time running out before Lawrence's got the last score of game to makeit 1-15 to 0-7 at the final whistle.

The low scoring first half should give an indication of just how hard the battle was, the seasoned Brendan's men against the upcoming Lawrence's charges, it also makes the second half display even more impressive and the Stretford men will take great pride in the win but also in their fitness and physicallity which was excellent.

The physical conditioning work that Lancashire GAA legend John Fitzpatrick has been doing with Lawrence's was stamped all over this display and it will continue to pay dividends in the coming months.

Next up is a top of the table clash with John Mitchell's, it will be eagerly awaited.