Saint Brigid’s II 3.15 Mitchel’s 1.09
The deadly duo or the nearly dead duo and the dynamic duo
It’s a little known fact that in 1981 one of the giants of the Naomh Brid club won his first senior championship medal in Tyrone. The Dunamanagh Red Hugh’s clubman tamed the might of Carrickmore Eire Og, Dungannon Eoghain Ruadh and Killyclogher St. Mary’s to win their first and only senior hurling crown in Tyrone. Conway may only have been a ball boy, but they give out medal’s easily in North Tyrone. We don’t believe his claim to have been too young to be a ball boy. However, what a pity Eunan Conway didn’t make himself available to face Gort na Mona in last night’s South Antrim Hurling Championship game, they may only have lost by 20 points.It’s also a little known fact that Feargal McCann (Terry’s younger brother)
won a hurling medal or two on the field, with Feargal playing the deficit could have been cut to eighteen points.
Most Division 5 managers frantically round up players, not so the intrepid St. Brigid’s manager Feargal McCann who has the unigue tactic of actively discouraging players to togg out and not too turn up. This man stop’s at nothing to ensure he gets a run out at least once every year. The important point to note that St. Brigids conceded one goal and four points in the last fifteen minutes coincided with the fleeting appearance of McCann and Conway.
No wonder there were no supporters as the Naomh Brid men first went to Fall’s Park (that’s what The Irish News said, but as an Runai knows, don’t believe everything you read). Then on to Poleglass, but it was a bit wet! Then with an accommodating referee and a compliant home and away team it was all back to Deramore for a good game played in a good spirit and refereed well. Antrim football is eventful, you get a free tour of the city with every game.
Mitchel’s started well and had six or seven chances to score and only converted twice before St. Brigid’s found their groove. A goal from Michael Donnelly, 3 points from Mel MacSherry, John McGuckian and Chris Donnelly one apiece, 2 from Chris Quinn (he was very tired) and one from Rory Taylor left the away team playing at home, 8 up at the break.
Half time score Saint Brigid’s II 1.08 Mitchell’s 0.3
Ciaran Loughran won a lot more ball in the second half. In fact he found 4 ball’s that the seniors lost behind the goals the previous night. This after playing a solid first half in the full forward line, but somebody had to make way for the player manager. Feargal was actively hoping that Ciaran would not goal when he went close with a fisted effort before half timed otherwise he could not have taken him off.
Mel MacSherry bagged two goals and the big man from Cloughmill’s, McGuckian scored another two points!
Then the Naomh Brid men brought on the senior members of the panel. Fergal McCann lofted a fantastic shot over the bar, but for some reason the referee decided that it hit the post and rebounded into play. How unfair! Conway wearing his Antrim over 40’s shorts that’s both age, desription and size, won a hard earned free that was converted by Taylor. Confirmation that O’Neill’s do make size 42 short’s from their official testers Conway and McCann.
After a hesitant start the midfield dynamic duo Donnelly and McGuckian paved the way for a clear second half victory. Mel MacSherry refused to win his own ball or open his mouth, but still scored about two goals and five point’s and still found time to drop a few fifties short but that’s now traditional.
Anyway a good win in an enjoyable game played in the immaculately turned out Harlequins venue. Oh Conor McHendry has a great trick where he fists (no I won’t say in case other Antrim Division 5 teams are reading this!) but he really is like a ballet dancer!. Kevin finnegan at full forward did organise his team mates but decided he should get every ball weher it was his or not.
Full time score Saint Brigid’s II 3.15 Mitchell’s 1.09
Naomh Brid: C McHendry, J McKeever, P Finnegan, Pat Spillane (honest you should see the dummy), E Smith J Marley, C Turbitt, M Donnelly, J McGuckian C Donnelly,R Taylor, C Quinn, C Loughran, K Finnegan, M MacSherry,
Sub’s: B Loughran, C McCann, E Conway, F McCann
Next game 25 July away to Aghagallon
