The lure of Donegal and Sligo robbed St Brigid’s of their top scoring forwards as they fell to Glenavy seconds by the minimum at Deramore. Mel MacSherry’s accuracy from free kicks was sorely missed and Keelan McCrudden’s trip to Sligo also meant that the forward threat was diminished. That said the urgency and accuracy that was needed to match a spirited Glenavy team was absent at key stages of the game. The opportunity for league success still hangs by a thread with 5 games to go.
Glenavy showed their intent from the off by pushing into a two point lead before two Duncan MacAuley frees brought it level. A point from play by Brian Loughran after good work by Paul McCrudden and Barry Gormley gave the home team the lead and help them settle into a period of dominance. Glenavy’s tactic of playing an extra man at the back was proving troublesome but points from play from Duncan MacAuley from the edge of the square and Barry Gormely kept Naomh Brid ahead with 20 minutes gone. Duncan MacAuley saw the crossbar deny a great goal opportunity and this coincided with Glenavy taking the initiative again. They outscored the home team in the final five minutes, cancelling out Paul McCrudden’s effort which was well worked from a 45, to lead by two at the break.
Half Time Naomh Brid 0-6 GleanyII 0-8
Glenavy started the second half stronger and immediately took a 3 point lead. Paddy McDonald was a threat at midfield but unforced errors which were punished in full by Glenavy, and poor shooting saw the home side struggle. Chris McCann entered the fray and immediately made an impact scoring two frees and creating chances when the ball came to him. When the ball didn’t come he went and got it at midfield and set up the score of the game when Paddy McDonald hit a great goal with 2 minutes to go.
The equaliser didn’t come but perhaps the simple errors and the 12 wides were the reason why.
Not reflective of the hard work put in over the past 7 months.
Final Score Naomh Brid 1-11 Glenavy II 0 -15
N Brid E McMahon, J McKeever, F O’Neill, A Mcveigh, P Finnegan, C McHendry, B Loughran, C Mallery, Barry Gormley, T McCrudden, M Kelly, P McCrudden, R Mackle, P McDonald, D MacAuley
Subs Used G Macklin, N Corrigan, G Morris, K Loughran, M Malone
