The division 5 team travelled to Toomebridge on Friday past to play Cargin III’s in the Junior Championship.
Whilst Naomh Brid fielded a strong team, holiday commitments starved them of Paddy McDonald, Connal Mallary and Mark Kelly, a family bereavement meant Anthony McVeigh could not play and Gareth Macklin, Niall McDonald and Chris Quinn were unavailable due to injury.
The more experienced Cargin team, fielding a number of the Cargin II team which played Naomh Brid seniors earlier in the week and an Antrim Senior player, started the stronger and forced themselves into an early two point lead.
Frank O’Neill held the line excellently at the back whilst conceding at least 8 inches and maybe twice as many years to the Cargin full forward!
Mel Mac Sherry opened the Naomh Brid account with a well taken free before adding another from play. A switch which saw Paul O’Hara revert to corner back helped snuff the threat from Cargin’s lively Gallagher in the corner.
A little wayward shooting combined Cargin’s ability to hit longer range frees and scores from play saw the blues trail 0-9 to 0-4 with half time approaching. But a strong rally which saw a point from the more influential Barry Gormley and another Mac Sherry free saw the gap close to finish the half only three behind.
Half Time Naomh Brid 0-6 Cargin III 0-9
Naomh Brid started the second half with more purpose and the attacking skills of Paul Mc Crudden from mid field layed the ground work for another score to close the gap to a minimum. Cargin took off again and despite MacSherry’s accuracy from frees Naomh Brid could not get closer than three points.
As the pressure mounted the Malone boys kept working but hasty decisions meant mistakes and the opportunities that were created, but not capitalised on as scoreable frees were missed and hurried kick outs gifted possession and a score to Cargin.
As the light faded the visitors gave one last push and a move started in the half back line split the Cargin defence with Keelan McCrudden racing through on goal and somehow the ball managed to stay out having hit the post and crossbar.
The game looked over but the Blues kept at it and when Paul O’Hara collected a ball on the 45 he had only one thought on his mind. A pile driver from 25 metres rattled the net and the game was level. Despite one last attack Naomh Brid could not get the winner.
Full Time
Naomh Brid 1-12 Cargin III 0-15
Despite protestations about fading light the referee insisted on playing extra time of 10 minutes each way. The training lights at Cargin were a help but in fairness it was difficult for both teams to play in the dark and wet conditions. When Cargin got a goal from the throw in the pressure was on. Immediately Naomh Brid responded with a point, but the injuries and absentees were noticed most as the game petered out as a contest.
Overall an excellent team performance against a more experienced and physically stronger team played on an excellent surface. A replay would have been a better outcome. Either way we are out of the championship.
Thanks to the supporters who travelled and helped with the team and to Cargin for their hospitality in the clubhouse afterwards.
After Extra Time Naomh Brid 1-13 Cargin III 1-20
N Brid E McMahon, J McKeever, F O’Neill, R Walsh, P O’Hara C McHendry, B Loughran, P Finnegan, P McCrudden, E Smyth, D McAuley E Murphy, K McCrudden, B Gormley M MacSherry.
Subs Used T Kane, JG Doran, S O’Neill, F MacAleer, K Loughran
