Creggan Gaels v St Brigid's: All County Hurling

WEDNESDAY 27th AUGUST 2008 St. Brigid’s travelled the short distance to the end of the M2 to take on third placed Creggan in the All County league at their beautiful new complex close to the Lough shore. Despite the apparent gap between the teams in the league, St. Brigid’s started strongly and opened the scoring. Scores were traded back and forth, in particular an 80 yards free scored by goalkeeper, Mickey Kennedy. Mickey continued his good form pulling off some magnificent saves and is strongly in line for the players’ player of the year award. It is understood that whilst the author was away sunning himself in the heat of Hawaii, Mickey was producing man of the match performances time and time again. In front of him St. Brigid’s full back line was once again immense with Darren Horisk commanding the small square. Ciaran Farquharson, a newcomer at corner back played his best game of the season. (Congratulations to Ciaran and his lovely lady Lisa on the birth of their baby now a bouncing 8 weeks old). As the first half progressed some loose defending allowed Creggan to score a number of points from placed balls. Approaching the half time break and despite a great effort by Mickey Kennedy defying gravity as he flung himself to his left and getting his stick on to the sliothar, a pinpoint shot to top corner saw Creggan take a commanding 10 point lead. But this St. Brigid’s team never gives up and a long ball into the full forward line saw another players’ player of the year candidate, yes the author himself pluck the ball out of the air, dance around the full back and pass the ball past the Creggan goalkeeper. At half time the St. Brigid’s boys had closed the gap to seven points. After a good talking to at half time St. Brigid’s went out in the second half expecting a good performance and they did not disappoint. They dominated the second half and Eoghan McKenna was a constant threat and had two goal chances expertly saved. Further chances for goals were well saved, a goal was disallowed and another goal was scrambled in. With three minutes remaining St. Brigid’s were three points down when a frontal charge on the author resulted in a 21 yard free. (Just in case the referee is reading this, the foul took place one yard inside the 14 yards line and in my opinion should have been a penalty. Fortunately for the referee I was lying prostrate on the ground sucking air into my lungs unable to politely explain to him that his decision was wrong). Nonetheless Eoghan McKenna was given the responsibility to go for goal. Imagine the scene, setting sun, deadly silence so much so that you could hear the cows in the field behind the Creggan goal swishing their tails flicking the Lough Shore midges off their backs, the goal line filled with Creggan players to numerous to count, Eoghan “Ogie” McKenna standing over the ball like Jimmy Barry Murphy with six St. Brigid’s players standing alongside him ready to pounce on any breaking ball. If ever there was a match we were going to win this was it. Ogie pulled the sliothar up, one, two, three steps, smack, the ball careering towards the top of the net, a great save by the goalkeeper, Aidso McIlhaton following up pulled on the ball, another great save, another rebound, the author putting his boot out as hurls railed down from heaven, the sliothar heading goal wards, just wide. Sickening, inches were the difference between ecstasy and despair. The sliothar was pucked out, one final point for Creggan and the final whistle was blown. This second half performance was immense. St. Brigid’s were seven points down at half time and the difference in the end was only four points. Final score, Creggan, 1:13 to St. Brigid’s 2:6. Once again well-done lads and keep the heads up, we are going to make a breakthrough soon. Next game is against the leaders of the division and cross town rivals, Bredagh GAC. For those who are interested St. Brigid’s are already looking towards next year and building on the strong foundations laid this year. Anybody interested in playing senior hurling in South Belfast can contact Justin McCormack on 07802597080 for further details.