St. Brigids…………………………….3-17
All Saints, Ballymena…………….3-06
Antrim ACFL Div.5. – Deramore Park
St. Brigids got back to winning ways in Division 5 with a comprehensive victory over Ballymena on Sunday. Whilst the scoreline would suggest an easy match for the home side, the leaking of three goals meant that the visitors were always in the game.
Fresh from two successive losses Naomh Bríd started this match like men who were determined to get their league ambitions back on track. Straight from the throw in the Malone lads dominated the early exchanges as direct ball into the forward line saw them race into a 0-6 lead before Ballymena could register their first score. Points from Chris Donnelly and Eoin Ross added further to the home sides lead before Ballymena produced their first threat on goal. A long searching ball into the edge of the square saw a hand palm it nicely past a helpless Eamo McMahon – a reminder, if one was needed, that a moments lapse in concentration will undo a host of previous great work and allow the opposition right back into the game.
Chris Mooney and Ryan Brolly worked hard at midfield and provided the launching pad for many of the St. Brigids first half attacks with Brendan McDonald proving an effective target man for the home side. Further scores by Jimmy King, Conor Mackle and McDonald preceded two late first half points for Ballymena ending a satisfactory first half for the Malone men.
Ballymena started the second half the way they ended the first with an early score which was quickly followed by a cracking goal. St. Brigids finally got their act together with Collie Connolly pouncing on the breaking ball and feeding the all running Chris Mooney who dispatched to McDonald who crashed to the All-Saints net. Points followed by King and Donnelly to add to a healthy lead. St. Brigids looked like a side who threatened greatly but their decision making within the final third of the pitch very often left allot to be desired as forwards very often chose to go on solo crusades rather than dispatching to the man in the better position. The visitors did manage yet another goal which will disappoint the St. Brigids defence but it was a day where hard work and accuracy was rewarded with Naomh Bríd running out convincing winners.
If truth be told St. Brigids missed as much as they scored. It was a day where they had to work harder for their goal chances than their opposition had to and these will be the learning points going forward. Smyth, Bogue and Brennan were solid in defence with Chris Donnelly and Eoin Ross working very hard up front. Brendan McDonald had a solid game at the edge of the square and was assisted well by Jimmy King. The man of hour was easily Chris Mooney who was superb throughout. His tireless work and excellent distribution contributed heavily to a decent overall St. Brigids performance.
TEAM: Eamon McMahon, Gerry Bogue, Eddie Smyth, Ciaran Mackle, Collie Connolly, Gary Brennan, Andrew Sweeney, Chris Mooney (0-2), Ryan Brolly (0-1), Chris Donnelly (0-3), Jack Dowling, Eoin Ross (0-1), Conor Mackle (1-2), Brendan McDonald (1-1), Jimmy King (1-7)
SUBS: Ben Leonard for Ryan Brolly (35), Michael Webb for Gerry Bogue (
