Lacking that edge of confidence St Brigid’s can count themselves unlucky to lose a match where for 95% of the game they more than matched the league favourites.
However 3 soft goals turned this match on it’s head and gave Sarsfield’s the breathing space to see them across the finish line. Added to this a penalty miss by St Brigid’s and a wonder save by Pierce Cusack in the Sarsfield’s goals, the eventual scoreline does not tell the full story of this match.
30 players turned up making the selectors job extremely difficult. St Brigid’s were slow to settle with the first 10 minutes of the game being on the defensive back foot. Sarsfield’s No.14 was causing maximum damage and one goal and two points later Brigid’s started to gather momentum and get into the game. A penalty goal and a point from Mickey Malone brought St Brigid’s right back into it.
But how often can matches quickly turn? Two frustrated forward forays by the boys was quickly followed by two soft goals by Sarsfield’s which effectively decided the match.
However St Brigid’s never lost heart and dominated most of the play in the second half. A seven point difference but considering the penalty miss, a wonder save by Cusack, plus a further fine save and clear point chances gone amiss. St Brigid’s can take heart from the Sterling show given. This match was played to a high standard by both teams in a good sporting manner.
Final Score: St Brigid’s 2-3, Sarsfield’s 4-4
Team: D Quigg, C Owens (C Mc Grady 30mins), M Edgar, R Ward (L McGread 30 mins), B Sinnott, T McKeogh, C Mackle, T McCrudden, C Mooney, C Donnelly, S McAleer (D Brennan 50mins), S O’Brien, M Kelly, M Malone, R Mackle.
Subs not used: S Murton, C Connolly, C Keenan, N Murray, D McKeever, R Kervick, P Mc Bride, C McLoughlin, T O’Neill, P Nolan, A McLarnan, C Fitzpatrick, D Connolly.
Scorers: M Malone 2-2, C Mooney 0-1
Man of the Match: Matthew Edgar
