St Brigids Seniors captured Antrim’s All County Division 3 title on Saturday September 10th 2005 and in so doing ensured promotion to Division 2 in only their second competitive season. Successive promotions along with last year’s Junior crown should provide the perfect platform for a tilt at Intermediate honours in 2006 and a step closer to Senior football.
While the score line may have been comfortable in the end, it does not reflect the game as a whole, with the Belfast boys making a nervous start. A string of missed passes and poor shots preceded Joe Brolly’s opener in the eighth minute followed by a similar effort four minutes later. Rasharkin responded with a point of their own before crashing a great shot off John Mackle’s post (John says he had it covered). If this wasn’t awake up call for the entire St Brigids team it certainly was for the experienced member of Derry’s great one in a row side, as Brolley cut loose with three more scores from play before Conor Taylor finished a move created by James Loughrey in midfield and assisted by Paddy McDonald, now operating as target man, to the net. Taylor, Loughrey and Brolley with a free added injury time scores to give St Brigids a seven-point cushion at the break.
Half Time: St Brigids 1 – 8
Rasharkin 0 – 4
The country boys started the second half strongly and cut the lead with two quick scores before a good move finished with a cracker of a goal that John obviously didn’t have covered. That left a kick of the ball between the sides entering the last quarter and a real test of character for the city team. The test was quickly passed with four scores in as many minutes from, two from Duncan MacAuley, a Frankie Devlin free and yet another Brolley effort from play.
The same player eventually killed the game when he won a one on one race with the athletic Rasharkin keeper and blasted the ball to an empty net. His celebration was reminiscent of Clones v Tyrone in the 90’s but without the crowd kissing, thank God. Conor Taylor added a point before MacAuley wrapped up the scoring with a last minute goal as Rasharkin finally gave up the ghost.
As ever the fullback line of Joe McKeever, Frank O’Neill operating as a sweeper and especially Richard Smyth were rock solid. Behind them John Mackle brilliantly watched one shot hit the post and another the net. Frankie Devlin (the new Eunan Conway) directed operations from centre half with his wingbacks, Paul O’Hara and Deaghlan O’Hagan attacking at every opportunity. James Loughrey owned midfield while Paddy McDonald won equal amounts of possession there and on the edge of the square. Niall MacDonald and Conor Mullan worked hard at half forward and both had turns in the middle, while Paul McCrudden headed for an early shower after defending the title and Conor Taylor’s honour. Along with the scorers Ruari O’Neill really impressed when he came on, as did Aidan Owens. Malachy O’Kane and Paul Finnegan also equipped themselves well as late replacements… but the biggest cheer of the day went to the quiet unassuming Dungiven chap when he was substituted late in the game.
Full Time: St Brigids 3 – 13
Rasharkin 1 – 6
Team:
John Mackle, Frank O’Neill, Richard Smyth, Joe McKeever, Paul O’Hara, Frankie Devlin (0-1), Deaghlan O’Hagan, James Loughrey (0-1), Paddy McDonald, Paul McCrudden, Conor Mullan, Niall McDonald, Conor Taylor (1-2), Joe Brolley (1-7), Duncan MacAuley (1-2).
Substitutes used:
Ruari O’Neill, Paul Finnegan, Aidan Owens, Malachy O’Kane.
