The Malone Road Gaels made the short trip to their near neighbours Carryduff last Saturday, St Brigid’s fielded an eclectic mix of Minors, Reserves, Dutch Nationals oh and a few seniors. Both teams were playing their first game of the season. It certaintly looked that way with the home team making slighty less mistakes than their Antrim visitors. After an even opening quarter Naomh Brid began to fall behind to a Down side fielding a more experienced first fifteen. The St Brigids defence was under pressure but M Donnelly and B McMahon put up stern resisitance but the Malone Road boys fell behind from some close in frees and some inventive play. Gareth Kelly raised the white flag with a long range point after 14 minutes to register the first and only score of the first half for the boys in Blue.
The half time score of 7 points to 1 point reflected the dominance of Carryduff. Naomh Brid looked rusty and unsure especially with a full forward line devoid of movement for the visitors.
Luke Bogue who did well in nets after a lengthy sabatical from club football was replaced by Michael Malone at half time. Michael, who despite winning plenty of posession sometimes chose the wrong option, had a very promising first half in midfield. His kick outs in the second half would have done John Mackle proud such were their distance and accuracy. The introduction of Niall MacDonald at half time helped transform the game, Naomh Brid bossed the second quarter with quick scores from Duncan McCauley, Mel MacSherry 2 frees, and Jimmy King, the game was evenly poised with the score 8 points to 5. The final quarter saw both teams make many changes. The most notable by far was the introduction of Marcel
Kocjk recently of HOLLAND and a new recruit to the game of the gael. Despite failing to get on the score sheet Marcel (not to be confused with Marco van Basten) managed a jinky run on the right wing that augurs well for his future career with the boys in blue.
Michael Malone volunteered a goal just incase Naomh Brid might have accidentally won and Carryduff held on to register a slightly flattering victory of 1:11 to 0:7. Joe Brolly may have said “St. Brigids don’t do friendlies” but there was no need to be so accommodating to the host’s lads.
Best for Naomh Brid were: D Edwards, M Donnelly, C Mooney B Reilly and D MacAuley
Team selected : L Bogue, C Tanney , M Donnelly, P Finnegan, J McKeever, B MacMahon C Mooney: D Edwards and M Malone: B Reilly G kelly D MacAuley J King , TmcCrudden ,M MacSherry
Subs used: N MacDoanald, M Kocjk, A kelly, B Synott, k McCrudden, J kennedy
Naomh Brid travel to play recent Tyrone Senior Champions Killyclogher next Sunday in a reserve and senior double bill. A marked improvement will be required, however manager MacSherry has turned down the appeals of Neill Quinn and Feargal McCann to come out of retirement.
