Sarsfields 1-8 St Brigid’s 1-4
At Sarsfields 7.8.07
St Brigid’s season was effectively ended when they lost their quarter final duel with West Belfast outfit Sarsfields.
In front of a large crowd of visiting supporters a slow start by St Brigid’s in the first half, albeit playing against a strong wind, left the visitors too far behind to catch up in the second half.
Playing a full strength side for the first time this season St Brigid’s displayed nerves and indecision in the first half and allowed the home side to settle more quickly into their stride and control the match.
Only one score from Cormac McGrady, through a 21 yard free, was all St Brigid’s had to show for their first half efforts.
Despite mighty efforts from Michael Malone and Ben Sinnott, with sterling back up work from Chris Mooney, the visitors were simply not getting the ball quick enough to their forwards. This allowed Sarsfields defence to regroup and smother the ball time and time again.
Just like the book says a series of misfortunate events then resulted in Sarsfields scoring a decisive goal in the first half with at least 3 St Brigid’s backs slipping whilst going in for tackles.
First Half Scores 1-5 to 0-1
The second half started off again in the same vein with Sarsfields adding a quick point to extend their lead to 8 points.
At this stage St Brigid’s then began to play to their known abilities and put up a better performance.
With Chris Mooney stiffening up midfield and Chris Donnelly playing very much deeper the fight back by the visitors began.
An excellent 50 from Michael Malone saw the ball bounce over for St Brigid’s 2nd point of the game.
P Nolan, who had been brought on to provide much needed height in the forward line was unfortunate to see a shot smothered right on the line. But not to be deterred two minutes later a high ball into the square was expertly back flicked by Patrick into the nets.
At this stage, and with the breeze behind them, St Brigid’s were staging a spirited fight back. Crunching tackles from both sides highlighted the intensity of the 2nd half encounter.
An excellent solo effort from Tim McCrudden backed up by a point from Cormac McGrady brought St Brigid’s to within two points of the lead.
However two solo runs from Chris Donnelly that deserved some reward at the end but which achieved no score seemed to dishearten the visitors. With less than 5 minutes to go Sarsfield’s latched onto a loose pass and stormed down the pitch quickly to score a point of their own. Within another minute to go a lapse in defence resulted in a further point for the home side.
Sarsfields were deserved winners of this hard fought but fair contest.
St Brigid’s now know what is necessary and what it takes to compete and move forward in the championship. Let’s hope lessons are learned for the next campaign.
Excellent defensive work from Thomas McKeogh, Conor McGranaghan and Steve O’Brien, Ben Sinnott man marked Sarsfield’s danger man Sweeney out of the game. But best for defence was clearly Mathew Kelly.
The St Brigid’s forwards put in a magnificent effort, despite being starved of the ball in the first half, Chris Donnelly as ever worked tirelessly and was unlucky not to see some scores registered. Both Ryan Mackle and his younger brother Conor put in great displays ably backed up by Chris Mooney who was initiating most of St Brigid’s good attacks.
Man of the Match award to Michael Malone who gave a typical captain’s performance. Not only was he man making the home side danger midfield player but his winning of the ball, particularly in the 2nd half was easily of County level standard.
Best of luck to Sarsfields i
