Reserves show commitment.
At a wet Boucher Road Saint Brigid’s Division 5 team showed a work rate and commitment more reflective of the training they have put in over the past three months. Against an Ardoyne team that was under strength, the Blue and Gold men finished comprehensive winners on a 1-11 to 0-4 scoreline.
The wet evening and heavy traffic meant that the opponents arrived late and started the game with 14 men. However the new “averaging policy” was put into place when their numbers went up to 16 in the second half!
Despite a numeric advantage for part of the first half, Naomh Brid could find no pattern to their play and struggled to keep possession. The opening score came from the boot of Mel MacSherry from a well taken free. Excellent work and work rate from Michael McLaughlin at wing half forward contributed to a Mac Sherry point from play. Sloppy work from Naomh Brid allowed Ardoyne two points from possession given away before Liam Murray’s point from play restored the lead.
John Gerard Doran was working hard at full forward and was rewarded with an excellent point from play.
Eamon McMahon made a couple of good saves to avoid conceding major scores before the break. An Ardoyne free before the break reduced the lead to a minimum.
Half Time Naomh Brid 0-4 Ardoyne 0-3
The second half saw a new Naomh Brid team emerge. Keelan McCrudden came to life after a quiet first half (understatement!) and a reminder of that at half time. He scored two points in the first three minutes which was added to by a MacSherry free. Conal Mullary was now lording the middle whilst Paul Finnegan was directing operations from centre half.
The experience of Murray, Brady ,McKeever and Loughran made sure Ardoyne were unable to make any progress into St Brigid’s territory and frustration began to build with the opponents. The backline swept up all attacks as Niall Corrigan, Richard Walsh and Brendan Sinnott all held their men (and the sixteenth!).
Chris Quinn entered the fray and immediately won a free which Mel converted after the referee brought it forward for descent. Conall Mullary added a point from play before Keelan McCrudden added another.
Anthony McVeigh continued to win breaks around the middle from his old friends. However the new posh Anthony didn’t want to upset anyone and was very quick to offer cold soft drinks to a team who in their frustration were becoming less co-ordinated and more likely to win on points (Kingsberry rules style!) as Chris Quinn found out. Liam Murray’s negotiation style seemed to work though!
The game was secured by an excellent McCrudden goal, but new boy and ex rugby man Greg as umpire, in his excitement waved it wide. Yes john Gerard he is on our side!
Ardoyne scored one point before MacSherry’s last point finished a good night’s work.
Final Score Naomh Brid 1-11 Ardoyne 0-4
N Brid E McMahon, J McKeever, P Brady, R Walsh, B Sinnott, P Finnegan, N Corrigan, C Mullary, B Loughran, A McVeigh, L Murray, M McLaughlin, K McCrudden, JG Doran, M MacSherry.
Subs Used C Quinn, M Kelly, S Keown, F McAleer.
Not there P McDonald!!!!!!
Meet at St Teresa’s at 1.30 at latest on Sunday. Snior game at 12 noon.
