St Brigid’s produced a disciplined performance away to All Saints Ballymena on Sunday to earn two valuable Div.5 league points.
Playing with a strong breeze in their backs St.Brigids were slow to settle and it was the home team who dominated the early exchanges. All Saints were first to register on the scoreboard with an excellent point. St Brigid’s slowly gained advantage at midfield, however, this did not transfer to the scoreboard as they squandered many easy scoring chances. The deadlock was finally broken after a nicely worked move from midfielder John McGuckian who linked with Ben Synott before Conor Mackle crashed to the net. St Brigid’s continued to make hard work of their many scoring chances and it wasn’t until defender Brendan McDonald was moved from full back to full forward that St Brigid’s could move up a gear. McDonald’s impact was immediate as he laid off a ball to Niall Conway for a well taken score. All Saints battled back with two unanswered points underlining their threat from midfield but it was St Brigid’s who had the final say of the first half. McDonald was again involved under the high ball and proving a handful for the All-Saints defence, allowing Synott to slot over from close range. Mick Malone then found Jimmy King in a swift move, releasing John McGuckian who rattled the All Saints net for St Brigid’s second goal.
St Brigid’s faced into a very stiff breeze for the second half. However, they came out totally undeterred and clearly underlined that lessons had been learned from facing similar conditions against O’Donnell’s a few weeks earlier. St Brigid’s quickly got on the score sheet as attacking half back Niall Conway slotted over an excellent point and quickly followed this with his second goal in as many games. Their strong running game combined with a heavy pitch now had All Saints on the ropes as they began to dominate all over the pitch. Further scores from Conway, McGuckian and Malone opened the door for substitute Jack Dowling to find the net again from close range in what was an excellently taken goal. St. Brigid’s were now playing with confidence, style and discipline ensuring All Saints were kept to a single point in the second half.
Overall the Naomh Bríd men were rewarded for some excellent football, very hard work and some smart support play in what was a strong team performance. Whilst St Brigid’s were eventually clinical in front of goal it was again in defence where their star performers lay. Centre back Niall Conway led by example with a solid display throughout and was well supported by John McGuckian, Eddie Smith and Brendan McDonald. Up front Chris Mooney had a terrific first half with Ben Synott, Jimmy King and Conor Mackle showing glimpses of what they are capable of. The outstanding performer over the hour was wing back Gary Brennan who was a constant thorn the All Saints side, breaking down attack after attack with tenacious tacking and excellent reading of the game.
The South Belfast men now move forward showing strong form in Div.5 as their quest for promotion continues.
St. Brigid’s: Duncan McCauley, Anthony McVeigh, Brendan McDonald, Mark Kelly, Gary Brennan, Niall “Barney” Conway (1-03), Eddie Smyth, Paul Finnegan, John McGuckian (1-01), Chris Mooney, Ben Synott (0-01), Damian McElhone, Conor Mackle (1-00), Michael Malone (0-01), Jimmy King Subs: Conor Taylor for Anthony McVeigh(30) Jack Dowling(1-0) for Jimmy King(40) Collie Connolly for Mark Kelly(45) Daniel McKeever for Niall Conway (50) Ronan Ward for Chris Mooney (Inj)(55)
