In what was a tightly-contested football game between two South Belfast football sides, St Brigid’s were let down by the man in the middle.
Asked what Jose Mourinho felt about a referee after a premiership game, he replied, “He just not very good.” The same could be said for this one, his decisions were openly swayed in favour of Bredagh throughout the match. Nevertheless St Brigid’s battled throughout. In a recent challenge match Bredagh had beaten St Brigid’s by 15 points. It shows how far the team has come on, on this occasion a four point loss and St Brigid’s leaving the field feeling they should have won the match.
The Squad of 33 was down to 22 due to injuries/ sleep-ins and religious callings. However fair-play to the boys that turned up.
St Brigid’s started the first period with Chris Donnelly tearing through the middle of the field on a 50 yard run from half-back , slotting in a great point to open the score. Bredagh responded by hitting two of their own and within 10 minutes, with two of O’Brien’s own the two sides were even. Then came the first questionable decision. A low ball was launched in by Bredagh which Luke McGread was on the end of before being clipped by a Bredagh corner forward. Scrambling back to his feet, he was then pushed leaving the forward through to score a goal.
Despite the disappointment of the goal standing St Brigid’s had enough time for David Brennan to send one over the bar.
1st Period Score: 1-3 Bredagh to St Brigid’s 0-4
A few positional changes and substitutions kept the game moving for St Brigid’s However many questionable refereeing decisions left Bredagh with 5 or 6 frees from which they scored 1goal and 3 unanswered points. St Brigid’s looked on the rocks at this stage and heads started to drop. However nobody had told Stevie O’Brien about the script. Taking the ball from the half-way line and with sheer determination he went through four tackles and slid the ball into the back of the net. Another Stevie O’Brien point followed up by a Michael Malone point had St Brigid’s back into it. Bredagh had been starting to look complacent, but this period of play from St Brigid’s let them know there was a contest on.
2nd Period Score: 2-8 Bredagh to St Brigid’s 1-6
This period saw both sides scoring soft goal within a minute of each other. David Brennan who was pushing Stevie O’Brien hard for Man of the Match got the goal for the blue and gold’s. Further points by Chris Donnelly, O’Brien and Michael Malone reflected the pressure being put on by the away team. However a combination of missed chances and wrong decisions (going for goal when points should have been taken) left Bredagh relieved winners at the end.
Final Score: Bredagh 3-10 to St Brigid’s 2-9
In defence Matthew Edgar had a great game, Luke McGread continues with another high grade performance. Playing out of position on the half-back line Chris Donnelly drove the team on. His stamina and runs together with his tackling were a major feature of St Brigid’s play. Conor Keenan and Stephen Murton gave coaches more reasons to put them in the first 15. David Brennan in the Half forward line gave a tireless gutsy performance and can count himself extremely unlucky to be given a red card near the end. As the management say an appeal will be lodged immediately. But man of the match performance today has to go to Stevie O’Brien, not just for his scoring but for the 100% effort and commitment shown.
Overall both teams provided a very high standard of football, the benefit of this Mooney Cup competition was clear for all to see by the determination and skills of both sets of squads. This result leaves Bredagh in pole position but the return match will obviously be interesting.
As for the referee, as Mourinho would say …
Team: D Quigg, C Keenan, M Edgar, P Nolan, L McGread, C Donnelly
