Naomh Brid made it a profitable trip to the Bann on Saturday courtesy of a well-deserved three point win over Roger Casements in sodden conditions. There was little evidence of rustiness after a lengthy month lay-off, as their discipline and composure saw them through in a pulsating encounter. With Gort Na Mona’s win over St Paul’s the only other ACL Div 1 fixture played, the result edged the Biddies up to fifth spot to counter the spectre of relegation that hovers over a cluster of clubs.
The home side opened with a point thanks to a defensive turnover, but within a minute Sweeney’s early ball found Edwards, who took his chance well. The sides exchanged converted frees before Cunningham edged the visitors ahead on 10 minutes after good work by Sweeney and Edwards, who drew the free. Horrisk was denied by a super save from the keeper as Naomh Brid bossed the early proceedings. Loughrey surged from deep linking with O’Hagan to set up Cunningham for a fine score. On 18 minutes the lead stretched to five when Donnelly made no mistake from close range. The home side found their most productive play was route one through the middle — a tactic which garnered three points in as many attacks. Meanwhile Cunningham punished a push in the back and Sweeney set up Edwards, who was fouled and duly slotted over the free. On half time the home side reduced the deficit to three with a converted free of their own.
Half time: Portglenone 0-6 Naomh Brid 1-6
The visitors resumed in positive mode with Loughrey showing his class, drawing a free after a great run and pass which Cunningham promptly converted. Back came Portglenone with a swift attack that would have surely resulted in a goal but for a phalanx of defenders smothering the ball. Loughrey’s tenacity in the tackle then turned defence quickly into attack and he set up Edwards for a fine score. Home tempers were increasingly frayed in the heat of the battle and the referee had to call the captains aside after a second schmezzole broke out. With just over 10 minutes remaining Naomh Brid shot themselves in the foot when a loose free played across the field was intercepted and the ball was clubbed home via a deflection beyond the helpless Mackle. A resurgent Portglenone followed up with a point to reduce the margin to the minimum. But Naomh Brid steadied the ship and Edwards struck twice to restore a three point advantage. While Portglenone brought it back to two on 55 minutes, substitute McGrady angled over a superb 40-metre drive with the calmness of a veteran as the clock ticked over. Portglenone’s indiscipline eventually drew a red card from the referee in injury time and the game was well and truly up.
Full time: Portglenone 1-8 Naomh Brid 1-11
Team: J Mackle, J Loughrey, J McGuckian, D MacAuley, R O’Neill, D O’Hagan, B McMahon, M Donnelly, R Smith, B Reilly, D Horrisk (P Finegan), M Sweeney, M Malone (C McGrady), N Cunningham, D Edwards
Man of the match: J Loughrey
All in all, an excellent and disciplined performance from one to fifteen that bodes well for the final six matches. The only downside was an injury late in the match that saw the excellent O’Hagan carried off. Conor MacSherry will be hoping to see his trusty No. 6 back in action as soon as possible.
Next Sunday, October 12 sees a double header at Musgrave Park. The Div 5 team plays Dunloy with the seniors hosting the Johnnies. Throw in at 1.30pm and 3.00pm respectively.
