After a long period out of the limelight due to a prolonged and slow healing foot injury big Kevin Finnegan returned to prominence in last night’s top of the table clash with Davitts at Deramore. Fitness fanatic Kevin saw his dedication to his “lifestyle plan” and Naomh Brid pay off as his taxi arrangements made sure that Mel MacSherry and Richard Walsh could travel from Donegal for the game. Indeed MacSherry’s accuracy from placed balls was central to the home team maintaining their position as league challengers.
After a delayed start due to Davitts late arrival the home team elected to play with the strong wind in the first half and opened the scoring after 3 minutes with a Mel MacSherry free. Two more frees from MacSherry and a point from Paddy McDonald, after great work with Benny Reilly and Barry Gormley, saw the home team take a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes. Benny Reilly operating at centre half forward added another minor and Keelan McCrudden added another from play. When Mel MacSherry added another free on 22 minutes the home team were four points up. From then to the break Davitts made best use of possession by scoring 1-2 without reply to finish the half one point to the good.
Despite the wind advantage and John Mackle’s excellent kick outs the Naomh Brid men turned around having missed the opportunity to take full advantage of the elements.
Half Time Naomh Brid 0-7 Davitts 1-4
The second half turned out to be a goal feast and exciting fare.
From the restart Naomh Brid upped the pace and good work from Paddy and Niall McDonald saw big Niall race in from the right to score a fantastic goal to seize the momentum for the home team. Almost immediately Davitts cancelled it out after a move which saw John Mackle beaten from close range. MacSherry did what was asked of him and converted two further frees before Davitts again went into a two point lead.
MacSherry topped an excellent performance with another goal and again the Naomh Brid men conceded a goal having gifted possession to Davitts.
The game looked over but upped stepped big Paddy McDonald to score another goal to draw the game level.
Mel MacSherry added another free and the game was still in the melting pot.
However Barry Gormley’s graft at the middle was paying off and a ball into the square found the injured Niall McDonald who took his goal chance with aplomb.
After many calls to the referee to tell him time was up the home team managed to get themselves across the finish line and back on track after a poor performance against Antrim
Final Score Naomh Brid 4-10 Davitts 3 -9
N Brid J Mackle, J McKeever, F O’Neill, S O’Neill, A McVeigh, P Finnegan, R Walsh McDonald, N McDonald, JG Doran, B Reilly, E Murphy, K McCrudden, B Gormley, M MacSherry
Subs E McMahon, R Mackle, B Loughran, C Loughran, F McAleer
