St Brigids U16 throw away yet another lead

It was a damp evening St. Brigid’s travelled to Milltown to face a St. Gall’s team who were eager to lay down a marker ahead of the championship encounter between the sides in a few weeks. St. Brigid’s probably couldn’t afford to lose any more games if they wanted to achieve anything in the league. So, then, a feisty encounter promised to unfold.
The first half was extremely tight and hard. Any mistakes were punished and several fine scores taken. St. Brigid’s corner forward Gerd Henvey poached an excellent point early on, latching onto the break to coolly slot the point. Matt Keenan, the man in the opposite corner, also chipped in with one of his own, holding off the defender and clinically finishing. James McGee replied with a well-taken point for the home team, stealing the ball and sending it over the bar. Mark Cummings fired over for St. Gall’s and Ronan Mackle scored for the visitors. There was only a single point between the sides at half time with neither intent on giving an inch to the other.
The second half was more open than the first, as both teams went all out for the win. St. Brigid’s began to push on for scores, with half-back Eoin McGarry having an outstanding game. He was out in front of his marker every time and setting up plenty of chances for his forwards. Ben Leonard got an excellent point for St. Brigid’s, receiving the ball after excellent work from McGarry and placing it over under pressure from St. Gall’s defenders. Rory Flanagan also had a hand in the scoring for the away team, floating over a marvellous effort after a strong run. At 4 points up this looked like it might be a first win after two draws and a defeat for Naomh Brid. But yet again, the last ten minutes saw it begin to unravel for St Brigids. St. Gall’s got a couple of points and gained momentum. It was nerve racking two points up to Brigids, when a loose ball was gathered by the hosts’ corner forward and finished past the helpless Michael Campbell. That was just about the last kick of the game, and St. Gall’s celebrated at the final whistle.
So, a battling display from St. Gall’s who got their reward in the end for sticking with St. Brigid’s. As for St. Brigid’s, they must learn to sustain a lead right until the final whistle.