St Brigid’s tumbled out of the senior championship when a well drilled Roger Casement’s side defeated the Malone Road Boys in convincing fashion last Sunday by 14 points to 7 on a splendid new pitch at the Cargin Club in Toome.
On a day when anything that could go wrong did for Naomh Brid, the tone was set when Ryan Brolly pulled a hamstring during the warm up. This added to the loss of Conor Mullan and Paul Finnegan who were injured last Monday in the match against Rasharkin. Others carrying injuries into the match included John McGuckian, Benny Reilly and Greg McGonagle, and all were forced to retire at various stages during the match.
St Brigid’s began by playing into the breeze and were soon trailing as the Malone boys began in a low gear, while Portglenone at top speed cut through the defence with ease and went into an early five points to two lead. McAleese at full forward got plenty of supply and the midfield duo of McGarry and McKeever got the better of Loughrey and McGuckian. Worse was to follow when playmaker Dara Edwards was the victim of a knee in the ribs forcing him eventually to retire after only 5 minutes. Mel MacSherry pointed a free to add to the scores from play from McCann and Joe Brolly. St Brigid’s were always on the back foot due to the high intensity power play from their opponents. One highlight of the first half was the display from Mark Sweeney who had a marvellous game at wing half forward and single-handedly took the fight to Portglenone. However, the half time score of nine points to three reflected the dominance of the south west team,the accuracy of the shooting from the Bannsiders registering fewer wides than the Belfast was a trend continued into the second half
The second half began with St Brigid’s taking advantage of the breeze and launching several attacks but fluffed one easy free and several scorable chances, notably from the boot of Brolly. However, the gap was narrowed to five and further points were exchanged. But while St Brigid’s replaced the walking wounded, they were unable to make inroads into the Casement’s lead. However the margin was not a comfortable one and there was always the glimmer of a chance of a victory if a goal could be scored. But while Chris McCann and Joe Brolly did threaten, they were denied a real chance on goal. Mark Sweeney, Deaglan O’Hagan converted from play while the veteran joe brolly knocked over two frees, the ability to score from play was one of the clear difference’s betwwen the two sides on the day.
With Mickey Donnelly and Joe Brolly figuring well for St Brigid’s, it was Mark Sweeney who signalled a return to top form with a great display to earn man of the match for the Malone boys.
Overall it was a game too far given the injuries mentioned above and four or five other senior players also unavailable. However, given that this was a relatively poor performance, to hold a team who had played in the county final two years ago to seven points given a horrendous injury list and the huge step up to senior
status was commendable. Positives could still be taken from the game given the very young finishing 15. At no stage did the team look out of their depth and Manager MacSherry can refocus on concentrating on the main objective of attempting to gain promotion. The enormous strides made since last season meant that the club has raised its own standards to senior status in the space of four years playing adult football, a fact unrivalled in almost 40 years in Antrim football. The players will learn an awful lot from this encounter and the level of intensity required to play senior football. Full credit to the Portglenone team in which
young county Minor McKeever augmented the tried and tested Doherty,McGarry
and Convery all with County Senior experience. They gave a lesson to the young
city team on the day
Team: John Mackle, Joe McKeever, Deaglan O‘Hagan, Mickey Donnelly, Barry McMahon, Greg McGonagle.Gareth Macklin. James Loughrey and John McGuckian, Benny Reilly, Dara Edwards, Mark Sweeney, Mel MacSherry Chris McCann, Joe Brolly
Subs used: Richard Smyth, Chris Donnelly,Aidan Owens,Tim McCrudden,
