Due to the unavailability of Falls Park this fixture against Ardoyne Kickhams was switched at short notice to Deramore. At stake was the chance for both teams to stake a real bid to become key contenders for the Division 5 title shake up. Before the game Naomh Brid had dropped four points from their 10 games played whilst Ardoyne had dropped five points from their opening 12 games. And so a real four pointer meant that Ardoyne had travelled with a strong team including a couple of players who had starred in the earlier draw against Naomh Brid seniors in Division 3.
The first half was a lesson in how to shoot or how not to. Naomh Brid registered 7 points from 8 attacks whilst the visitors squandered chance after chance to finish the half a point behind.
The star of the show was Mel MacSherry who finished the half with 3 converted frees and two from play. Two further minors from Barry Gormley and Eddie Smith allowed the home team to snatch a lead in the last three minutes overtaking a two point deficit.
Excellent work from Conor McHendry, Paul O’Hara and Frank O’Neill held Ardoyne better as the half finished.
Half Time Naomh Brid 0-7 Ardoyne 0-6
The second half saw an improved Naomh Brid team emerge. Paddy and Niall Mc Donald along with Barry Gormley made better use of their possession and excellent points from Paul McCrudden, Ceelan McCrudden and Mel Mac Sherry powered the blues ahead only for Ardoyne to chip back the lead despite some wasteful shooting. Duncan MacAuley added another point and the home team went three clear when against some peoples better judgement the referee blew for a penalty after McMahon made an excellent save. Up stepped the Ardoyne forward and after a double shimmee he ballooned the ball wide.
Despite a late rally in the six extra minutes played further points from MacSherry and both McCrudden’s saw Naomh Brid wine 0-15 to 0-11.
The crossbar twice and eighteen wides from Ardoyne certainly helped save Naomh Brid!
Final Score Naomh Brid 0-15 Ardoyne 0-11
N Brid E McMahon, J McKeever, F O’Neill, A McVeigh, PO’Hara, C McHendry, B Loughran,P McDonald, N McDonald, P McCrudden, G Macklin, E Smith,K McCrudden, B Gormley, M MacSherry.
Subs D MacAuley,S Keown, T Kane, K Loughran, F MacAleer
Next Game next Wednesady at home to Aghagallon Training Sunday at Harlequins at 1.00pm.
