Payback Team.

St Paul’s previously beat St Brigid’s controversially in the Championship quarter-final. Therefore all the players were looking forward to this match. They say revenge is sweet. Let there be no mistake; this was very sweet.
The scoreline does not give a fair reflection of the actual match. The 1-4 score by St Paul’s suggests that they weren’t competing. St Paul’s were busting a gut to beat St Brigid’s. The 15 players for plus five subs who played for St Brigid’s were magnificent. In fact our player of the match was Thomas McKeogh. In this match it was very difficult to assess who was man of the match. However this result will live long in the memories of the team. Everything seemed to just click into place.
All of St Brigid’s scoring was of high quality. From Chris Donnelly’s brace of points to Mickey Malone’s five successive points blitz, one with the left peg (what’s going on here Michael?), tidied up with Donal Connolly’s ‘poacher’s goal’ this was the sort of game you felt you wished you had bought the video.
St Paul’s came with a full team. Immediately Timothy McCrudden was given the man marking job on their star dangerman. Tim’s performance was immense, they looked like Siamese twins, he confined that player to one score. Tim’s midfield performance left Chris Mooney to totally express himself. Chris had his best game to date for St Brigid’s. Some of his tackles would have been ‘Armagh rated’, though fair.
St Brigid’s with the Donegal evacuees, had a near full-strength panel. In goals for the first time was Patrick Nolan, and he gave a superb performance. Some of his Kickouts were hitting the half forward line. Watch out John Mackle. Ciaran Mackle at right full back never allowed his opponent to have a look in. Thomas McKeogh’s high ball catching was of county level. Thomas simply missed nothing. Michael Malone, Chris Donnelly and Matthew Edgar gave performances that usually would merit Man of the match awards, but on this night Thomas’ performance was immense.
Conal Owens at left corner back had one of his best games ever, capped off with a 50 yard solo that was unfortunate not to end up in a score. Ben Sinnott on the half back line gave a typical, honest, hundred percent display. Two of the Donegal evacuees: Luke McGread and Stephen Murton were simply tremendous. The reporter understands that their markers were making verbal responses to them which obviously confirmed their total mastery. If those two players(our ones) aren’t on the Antrim panel next year there is something wrong.
The half-forward line speaks for itself. Matthew Edgar, Chris Donnelly and Michael Malone. Matthew asked to play up forward and he didn’t disappoint, three points and unlucky not to have scored two goals- Matthew the position is yours!
Chris Donnelly contributed four points but lead on so many assists, a typical brilliant team player’s display, whose reputation continues to soar.
Last week Michael Malone was man of the match, tonight his total contribution of 1-7 showed the consistency and maturity of his game. And Yes folks he did score one with his left foot, but maybe not 40 yards out (only 39 yards). Up front Stevie O’Brien showed full recovery from his previous injury (we’ll be suing trusty rusty). He laid on at least eight of Michael’s eight scores. In fact Stevie would say he laid them on a plate. Another Donegal returnee David Brennan had quite simply his best game ever in a St Brigid’s shirt. David missed nothing in the forward line and we had sorely missed him of the last few matches. Ryan Mackle at right full forward continues to show why he is on the Antrim Panel. Although he not get his name on the scoreboard he fought and scrapped for every ball.
We apologize to those players who didn’t get a game. Of the subs that came on Niall Murray had some brilliant passes out from defence to Michael Malone. Play anywhere-Andy McLarnon came on at right corner back and continued the domination of the St Paul’s