Saint Brigid’s Division 5 team topped an excellent day out for the parish when they followed up the Under 14’s excellent championship win over Gort na Mona, to beat St Gall’s III’s at Milltown in the Reserve Plate.
Before the game the players were asked for a disciplined work man like performance and to adopt a never-say-die attitude which helped deliver the 5-14 to 0-4 result that was thoroughly deserved.
The conditions at Milltown were excellent and St Brigid’s captain Rory O’Neill elected to play with the wind in the first half. A quick point from the mercurial Ryan Brolly and a pointed free from Rory O’Neill settled the visitors.
Paul McCrudden and Conor Mullen wouldn’t allow St Gall’s to gain any foothold at the middle and the support from wingbacks Eddie Smith and the excellent Duncan MacAuley meant there was a constant flow of ball into the forwards.
Two quick and excellently taken goals, first by Kevin Finnegan and then by Ceelan McCrudden put Naomh Brid in the driving seat against the Division 5 table toppers.
Points from Rory Taylor, James King, Ryan Brolly and Rory O’Neill were punctuated by two well-taken goals by Brolly and O’Neill.
St Gall’s managed one point in the first half, but the work rate of Malone, Kelly and Mackle kept scoring chances to a minimum.
The Malone men kept to the script by adding further points through McCrudden and Ryan Brolly to leave St Gall’s with a mammoth task at the break.
Half Time Naomh Brid 4-9 St Galls 0-4
The St Brigid’s men restarted by working and tackling with greater intensity. Conor Taylor entered the fray and broke up many St Gall’s moves as they now enjoyed the strong wind advantage. Paul McCrudden was showing strong leadership and restricting St Gall’s chances to a minimum.
Again Ryan Brolly and Rory O’Neill got points and Kevin Finnegan’s poacher goal made sure St Brigid’s won the second half.
All in all an excellent win and just reward for the renewed effort over the past weeks. Competition now at quarter final stage. Fixture details later.
Divison 5 game against Ardoyne Sat 22 September.
Final score St Brigid’s 5-14 St Gall’s 0-4.
St Brigids
S Morrissey, C Mackle, M Kelly,E Smith, M Malone, D MacAuley, C Mullen, P McCrudden, C McCrudden, R Taylor, J King, R O’Neill, R Brolly, K Finnegan, R Mackle, M Koch, J Finnegan, G Morris, S O’Neill, P Brady, C Taylor
