Naomh Brid made it two league wins on the spin with a deserved victory over an under strength St John’s at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening. However, while the margin of victory would suggest otherwise, this was a functional and somewhat tentative performance, particularly in the opening period.
Playing with the first half breeze Naomh Brid started brightly enough with Edwards from the touchline and Cunningham taking fine scores. The Johnnies were up for the tussle, though, and were in no mood to allow their visitors luxury time on the ball. They twice overturned possession which saw them draw level on 10 minutes – their only two registers for the half. O’Neill promptly replied with a point, but the visitors’ overall play was visibly laboured and lacking in invention and ambition. A succession of shots drifted wide or dropped frustratingly short as St John’s almost took advantage with a rare break, the referee dismissing their weak penalty appeal. It took until five minutes before the interval for the visitors to rouse themselves, as Rooney, who was busy and supportive throughout, and McMahon in turn linked well with Edwards who pointed twice in quick succession. A Cunningham converted free and Edwards again, this time after Reilly put in the spadework, gave a gloss to the half-time scoreboard.
Half time: Naomh Eoin 0-2 Naomh Brid 0-7
While St John’s sought an early score to reduce the margin, it was Naomh Brid who continued their scoring bout with Brolly tapping over a simple free after O’Neill was unfairly held. The Derry veteran then added another point after an extended solo run (nine straight steps and counting) to the consternation of the local support who railed at the referee, who saw no issue. St John’s replied with a fine point before Loughrey, who had a quiet match by his standards, finished an excellent move involving Sweeney and O’Hagan. Eunan Conway made positional changes as the injured Christie was replaced by Ryan Brolly, who made an immediate impact scoring with his first touch. With the deficit mounting St John’s resistance was being slowly sapped, as the visitors’ movement and passing stepped up a gear. A home point brought little cheer as Edwards swung over a beauty from the touchline before Cunningham ended the contest on 52 minutes taking an arrowed pass from Brolly and blasting to the net. Further points were exchanged in the final minutes but the spark had long since gone from game.
Full time: Naomh Eoin 0-7 Naomh Brid 1-14
Team: J Mackle, C Moane (P Finegan), A Christie (R Brolly (0-2)), M Rooney, B McMahon, D O’Hagan, B Reilly, D Edwards (0-5), J McGuckian, M Sweeney, J Loughrey (0-1), R O’Neill (0-1) (M Malone), D MacAuley, N Cunningham (1-2), J Brolly (0-2)
Man of the match: M Rooney
