After three successive defeats the 4th challenge match of the year produced a well merited win over near neighbours Bredagh. Given that these games are meant as preparation for the league campaign ahead, it’s the performance and not the results that really count and, going on this performance St Brigids should really count in the year ahead.
After a slow start, and falling 0 –5 to 0 –2 behind (Frankie Devlin with a free and Mark Sweeney from play), St Brigids in general and Aidan Owens in particular took the game by the scruff of the neck. Assisted by Sweeney Owens won a string of break balls around midfield and set up attacks for Joe Brolly and the lively Ruari O’Neill to finish. Ruari’s 1- 2 as the half drew to a close left the visitors well in control at the break.
Half Time: Bredagh 0 – 5
St Brigids 1 – 7
The second half saw the Antrim team increase their domination with James Loughrey making more and more breaks and Deaghlan O’Hagan running operations from centre half back. O’Neill and Brolly continued to torture the Bredagh defence and when Brolly found Frankie Devlin with a measured pass, the ex Coalisland Fianna, Tir Connell Gaels and Bredagh (believe it or not!) star found the net to wrap the match up as a contest.
Full Time: Bredagh 1 – 8
St Brigids 2 – 12
A good performance to build on then, but there will be many sterner tests ahead.
(Author’s Note: Richard Smyth did not do anything significantly positive or negative to warrant a mention and John Mackle is still injured, hence the lack of entertainment in this report).
