St. Brigids…………………………… 6-14
St. Endas…………………………………0-08
Antrim ACFL Div.5. – Deramore Park
St Brigids promotion hopes received a double boost at the weekend after a strong showing against St.Endas as well as the news that league leaders O’Donnells had been beaten by Ballymena. This now sets up a very intriguing final run in as four teams now challenge for the two available promotion places with St.Brigids now in joint 2nd place with Ballycastle.
A sun drenched Deramore Park saw a very competitive tussle evolve as the home side showed a higher level of disciplined hunger when it counted. The Naomh Bríd men got off to the better start with excellent scores from Ryan Brolly and Jimmy King, two men who would continue to torment the Glengormley defence. A keenly fought battle ensued around the centre of the park as Chris Mooney, Conor Taylor and Fergal Sherry eventually got the better of their opponents as the midfield area became crucial in this match. St. Endas hit back with two unanswered points as the Malone half back line struggled to cope with a pacey St. Endas half forward trio. The sides were four points apiece as St. Brigids stepped things up a gear with a long ball from Mooney to Sherry who linked well with the hard working Conor Taylor before dispatching to King who in turn crashed to an empty net. This initiated a spell of dominance for the South Belfast men who followed this with scores from Mel McSherry, Brolly and two from King. St. Brigids then lost the services of Chris Mooney who had been playing superbly which saw Conor Taylor switch to midfield and Chris Donnelly add further pace to an already mobile attack.
With the strong possibility of a promotion place coming down to score difference a very determined St. Brigids side emerged for the second half as they realised that this game presented an opportunity to significantly add to their league score tally. The South Belfast men immediately applied pressure to the St. Endas defence as they launched a series of quality attacks. Live wire Chris Donnelly was in the think of the action and started a move he also finished as he linked with Mel McSherry and Jimmy King before rattling the St. Endas net once again. Scores from Collie Moane, Eoin Ross and Brolly further added to the Naomh Bríd lead. The St. Endas frustrations were evident as they struggled to cope with the all running Naomh Bríd machine. The St. Brigids defensive unit were now coping admirably with any pressure applied by the St. Endas attack as Moane and Gary Brennan stamped their authority on the game. The floodgates opened as further goals came from King and Donnelly and a nice point from Eoin Ross. The Hightown men did hit back with a short period of dominance however substitutes Gerry Bogue and Niall Conway added further penetration and it was Conway who marked his return after injury with a super goal. A goal that saw the St. Endas goalkeeper substituted after a very busy day at the office.
This was a day where it was hard to pick out individuals in what was a solid all round team performance. St. Brigids showed a strong hunger and passion for victory and were ruthless in their hunt for further scores. St.Brigids now look forward to their remaining three games with confidence as promotion is now very much within their grasp. Maximum points and effort is required from the three remaining games before a small piece of history can be achieved.
TEAM: Eamon McMahon, Paul Finnegan, Eddie Smyth, Ciaran Mackle, Collie Moane (0-1), Gary Brennan, Aidan Owens, Chris Mooney (0-1), Fergal Sherry (0-1), Conor Taylor, Ryan Brolly (1-1), Aiden Cole, Eoin Ross (0-1), Mel McSherry (0-2), Jimmy King (2-7)
SUBS: Chris Donnelly (2-0) for Chris Mooney (Inj, 24), Gerry Bogue for Aiden Cole (33), Niall Conway (1-0) for Conor Taylor (38)
