The large crowd that turned up at Harlequins on Wednesday 7th June were provided with high drama and entertainment before the home side emerged victorious over their nearest rivals in Division 3, Glenavy.
Joe Brolly opened the account for St Brigids on five minutes to match the visitor’s point a minute earlier. This was followed by a rather harsh penalty after Richard Smyth appeared to be given the Seamus Derby treatment (ask your Da) in the square. Despite the best efforts of Stephen Morrissey, the penalty was converted and the Blues had a battle on their hands. Points from James Loughrey and Ruari O’Neill, who was torturing the visitor’s defence, plus two Brolly frees kept St Brigids in touch as half time approached. It was Glenavy however who had the last shout with a well taken point on the short whistle.
Half Time: St Brigids 0 – 5
Glenavy 1 – 3
The second half opened in identical fashion to the first, a Glenavy point followed by a Brolly free. While the Belfast boys were winning the majority of possession they struggled to convert this into scores, with only a Chris McCann point added between the fifth and twenty-third minute.
By now St Josephs led by three and St Brigids were down to fourteen men, James Loughrey having been sent for an early shower for a second bookable offence… what will Mickey Culbert think! A free from Duncan MacAuley and some surgery to the line up was to signal a heroic battle in the last ten minutes that saw the home side out score the visitors 1 – 4 to no score. Deaghlan O’Hagan put the shackles on Glenavy’s best forward; Ryan Brolly cut the gap to one with an excellent point before Gregory McGonigle launched a Hail Mary free into the opposition ‘s box. Substitute, Barry Gormley claims he got a touch on the ball as it flew into the net; he certainly got a touch on the defender who lay prostrate on the ground. McCann made sure of at least a point before Brolly finished where he started with a free in the third minute of injury time.
Full Time: St Brigids 1 – 11
Glenavy 1 – 7
This victory puts a bit of clear water between first and second place in the league. Now it’s just a matter of repeating the fist half of the league over again. Best on the night were Stephen Morrissey and Benny Reilly at the back, Gregory McGonigle with another colossal performance at midfield, while up front it was Duncan MacAuley and the ever-improving Ruari O’Neill that stood out.
Team:
Stephen Morrissey, Joseph McKeever, Richard Smyth, Seamus McArdle, Deaghlan O’Hagan, Frankie Devlin, Benny Reilly, Gregory McGonigle (1/2 of 1-0), Conor Mullan, James Loughrey (0-1), Chris McCann (0-2), Duncan MacAuley (0-1 free), Ruari O’Neill (0-1), Joe Brolly (0-5 frees), Niall MacDonald.
Substitutes used:
Thomas Clarke, Ryan Brolly (0-1), Barry Gormley (1/2 0f 1-0).
