ANTRIM ACL DIV:5
St Gall’s……………………………0-06
St Brigid’s…………………………… 2-14
St. Brigid’s continued their excellent league form in Division 5 as they swept aside a solid St.Gall’s challenge at Milltown on Wednesday night last. St.Gall’s couldn’t cope with a hungry St.Brigid’s side who were hell bent on securing two vital league points to ensure that the Div 5 title race goes down to the wire.
Having lost to St Gall’s already this season St Brigid’s were in a determined mood yet it was the home side who settled the quickest with an early point from a free kick. St Brigid’s hit back with a fine solo effort from Niall Conway. Conway made all the early running and was instrumental in most of the Malone men’s early penetration. Jimmy King stepped up for a point from a free kick before Conway again slotted over. St Gall’s were gaining advantage in several key areas and the visitors were living dangerously as both sides squandered several scoring chances.
St Brigid’s then entered a key period of domination. Brolly and King linked with Conway in what looked like a certain goal but was cleared off the goal line. Conor Mackle and Collie Moane stepped up to ease the visitors’ frustrations with a nice point but minutes later the St Brigid’s men were through again only to see their over elaborate play end in a fine save by the Milltown keeper. The St Brigid’s dominance was not transferring to the scoreboard and St Gall’s pulled one back against the run of play.
After a frank half-time discussion Benny O’Neill’s boys opened the second half in workman-like fashion as early scores from Jimmy King, Thomas Niblock and Ryan Brolly underlined what promotion means to the Naomh Bríd men. St Gall’s were now struggling at midfield and finding it hard to break down a tenacious St Brigid’s defence where Gary Brennan and Eddie Smyth were excelling. A long ball by Niblock found the on-running Mel McSherry to release Mackle, who was hauled to the ground before the referee spread his arms to signal for a penalty. Jimmy King stepped up and made no mistake in crashing to the bottom left. This was an inspirational score for the South Belfast men as they now dominated in all sectors of the pitch. Collie Connolly surged forward on several occasions and was finally awarded with a point. Further scores from substitutes Mark Kelly and Gerry Bogue added to an already healthy scoreline closing another fine victory for the Malone men.
This was a performance to savour for the Naomh Bríd men as they underlined their quest for league promotion. They now look forward to playing fellow table toppers Ballycastle, who beat league leaders O’Donnells on the same night to set up a very exciting league title race. On the night this was a true team performance with St Brigid’s adopting a very ruthless attitude and delivering a workman-like performance. Eamon McMahon was assisted strongly at the back by Smyth, Connolly, Moane and Brennan with Thomas Niblock having an excellent second half. Up front Jimmy King fired when called upon, with Ryan Brolly and Niall Conway putting in a huge effort when it was most needed.
TEAM: Eamon McMahon, Paul Finnegan, Eddie Smyth, Ciaran Mackle, Collie Moane (0-1), Gary Brennan, Collie Connolly (0-1), Chris Mooney, Thomas Niblock (0-1), Ryan Brolly (0-1), Niall Conway(0-2), Eoin Ross , Conor Mackle (1-0) Mel McSherry (0-2), Jimmy King (1-5)
SUBS: Ben Sinnott for Paul Finnegan (30), Conor Mullan for Conor Mackle (43), Mark Kelly (0-1) for Niall Conway (45), Gerry Bogue (0-1) for Eoin Ross (48), Brian Loughran for Chris Mooney
