31 July 2005
The Division 4 team, despite playing with a skeleton team, played out an entertaining draw with Ardoyne and maintained a slim chance of reaching the Divison 4 play offs. Leading by three points with 3 minutes to go the Ardoyne goal eventually came after the Naom Brid defence had held firm despite tremendous pressure from the Kickhams.
This game was moved to the impressive St Agnes ground at Woodlands which is a credit to the host club, as the council pitch was unplayable (glass and bunkers!) and turned out to be a day dominated by injuries.
First Duncan MacAuley who received an ankle injury was replaced by Micheal Murphy (suffering from Foot blisters!) and then Dermot Dowling suffered a recurrence of an old back injury and had to be helped from the field (injury first reported in Newry Democrat in 1982) and replaced by Paul McCrudden who was suffering from a bruised foot.
Despite the casualty drama Naomh Brid competed well and scores from the energetic Ruairi O’Neill(3), Connall Mullary, Enda Kerr and a long range effort from John Gerard Doran (yes it does count even if it bounces over the bar!) helped the Naomh Brid men to a 0-6 to 0-5 half time lead. Frank O’Neill and Euanan Conway, marshalled the rear guard well, along with Stephen Morrissey who made two fine saves.
An excellent score from Paul McCrudden straight from the throw in upped the tempo of the game. An excellent work rate from his brother Keelan resulted in two fine points and Ruairi O’Neill scored two further points, with Eoin Murphy connecting well between the half back and forward lines.
Ardoyne maintained the pressure to stay within three points and stout defending from Ciaran Loughran, Paul Finnegan and John McKeever kept them at bay. The goal eventually arrived and despite a brave effort from a late free from Ruairi O’Neill Naomh Brid could not steal the points.
Naomh Brid team
Stephen Morrissey, John McKeever, Frank O’Neill, Ciaran Loughran, John Gerard Doran, Eunan Conway, Paul Finnegan, Conall Mullary, Duncan MacAuley, Keelan McCrudden, Ruairi O’Neill, Eoin Murphy, Enda Kerr, Dermot Dowling, Fintan Quinn ,
Subs used
Michael Murphy, Paul McCrudden, Fergal McCann
Almost used C MacSherry!
