Naomh Brid 1-11 Creggan 0-6
St Brigid’s senior ladies continued their encouraging start to the season with a strong performance and an excellent result against their South West visitors Creggan. Played in perfect conditions on the excellent YMCA pitch St Brigid’s played against the breeze and the incline in the first half.
Ulster player and Captain Catherine Mullan lead by example and carried the ball to the Creggan defence and St Brigid’s opened the scoring through Ellen McGrath who had a great game over the hour.
The under sixteen quartet of Ellen, Katie McMullan, Aoife Montague and Aoibhe McCann played with great maturity throughout, with excellent tackling, support play and hand passing which will be very encouraging for coach Conor McKendry.
Kate Finnegan was again superb in the corner of the defence and “does exactly what it says on the tin” the simple things well, get possession and clear the danger.
Katherine MacAuley has adapted well to her new half back role and had another excellent game.
Sinead Corrigan had a fantastic game in nets in the first half showing her tactical awareness of the game and no doubt she will become more dominant in a Naomh Brid shirt after what was her first game.
Up front Aoife Montague assisted by Aine McKendry and Caoimhe McCullagh landed a couple of scores and the home team stretched to a 4 point to no score lead. However in the last 10 minutes of the first half the older visitors got a grip on the game to score 5 unanswered points. St Brigid’s missed a couple of goaling chances but kept the pressure up.
Half Time
Naomh Brid 0-4 Creggan 0-5
The second half was all about the experience of the Naomh Brid varsity players. Rachael McKeogh has proved that she is over her injury worries as she led by example with a power filled performance and excellent link play in the middle of the park.
Sarah McGuckian and Bronagh McKendry marshalled the back line which was only to concede a single point in the second half.
Now not a lot of people know this but Catherine Mullan’s free taking prowess wasn’t picked off the ground. One Seamus B Mullan graced the field for St Columb’s Derry, Ballerin Sarsfields and of course the mighty Derry themselves and excelled as a free taker. Indeed Ballerin became the first small rural team to contest the All-Ireland Club final only to fall to the mighty Austin Stack’s of Kerry in 19977. Seamus’s coaching and presence at games is certainly helping Catherine.
Caoimhe McCullagh’s experience and strength is invaluable in the forward line and she is getting back to her best with every game.
But the score that sealed the game came at a vital point in the second half when Orla Montague won possession and buried her chance first time in the Creggan net. Simple, direct but effective play. Game over! Orla’s presence lifts the team and is very important to support her younger team colleagues.
Rachel Morris made an excellent contribution in the second half and scored a point. Hanna Mc Grath was strong and effective when introduced for the industrious Mary Keenan.
Overall a great evening.
Jennifer McMullan and Rose McKeogh are wished a speedy recovery from injury. Anna Finnegan was absent as she was on international duty in one of her “other sports”.
Next game away to Moneyglass next Sunday. Support and offers of transport welcome and necessary!
A big thank you to referee Eunan Conway, a full 10 hours away from home with Football!
Training 6.50pm Wednesday 16 April YMCA (outdoor kit and water bottle and friend)
