Conall Owens summed up the match perfectly in the dressing rooms at full-time. “Surreal”.
St Brigid’s made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves. Missing some key players and playing on a wet pitch with a strong cross-wind, nevertheless, the standard of play was abysmal. Suicidal passes and non-existent marking were the main features of the first half. Davitt’s fed off the visitor’s mistakes and St Brigid’s were fortunate to end the half drawing with Davitt’s.
Two points by Tim McCrudden and Chris Donnelly were quickly followed by two Davitt’s points and an unfortunate goal. Only for three points from Stevie McAleer, the only St Brigid’s player showing any form in the first half, things could have been much worse.
Half Time: St Brigid’s 0-5 Davitt’s 1-2
Some quick substitutions at half time with some positional changes still did not get St Brigid’s going. Initially two points from captain Tim McCrudden and Stevie O’Brien gave the impression that St Brigid’s had steadied the ship. But a one point lead was quickly translated into a four point deficit when Davitt’s grabbed two points and a soft goal.
Four points behind and just minutes to go, St Brigid’s seemed to have thrown their hopes of league contention away. But it was not to be.
In some games one can often point to a specific moment that changes the whole course of a match. St Brigid’s therefore are grateful to David Brennan for creating that moment. Superbly catching a high ball from Davitt’s keeper, skillfully and cleverly he released Chris Donnelly clear on goal, sending him through to crash the ball into the back of the net. Davitt’s panicked.
When you’re a point behind, who else then can you rely on but your targetman. Donal Connolly was the man, side stepping the keeper and sending another one in.
At last St Brigid’s had woken up and had started to play football. Just then time for Malone, Donnelly and O’Brien to prove once again why they should have a place on the starting team. Four goals and a point scored by St Brigid’s in last seven minutes tells it’s own story.
The final whistle blew. St Brigid’s had grasped a victory from the jaws of defeat, playing football for just seven minutes.
Final Score: St Brigid’s 4-8 Davitt’s 2-5
Team: C McLoughlin (D Quigg 30mins), L McGread (R Kervick 40mins), R Ward, P Nolan, N Murray, C Mackle, C Owens (B Sinnott 20mins), C Mackle, T McCrudden, C Mooney (M Kelly 30mins), S McAleer, C Donnelly, S O’Brien, D McKeever (D Brennan 40mins), D Connolly, M Malone.
Subs not used: S Murton, R Mackle, R O’Reilly, T O’Neill.
Scorers: T McCrudden 0-2, S McAleer 0-3, S O’Brien 1-1, D Connolly, 1-0, C Donnelly 2-1, M Malone 0-1.
Man of the Match: Chris Donnelly
