The limitations of a threadbare squad were cruelly exposed at Musgrave Park on Sunday as a depleted Naomh Brid proved no match for a near full strength Cargin, who cantered to a 10 point win. While the defeat extends the Malone side’s losing league sequence to four, the 13 league points banked from earlier in the season should suffice to guarantee top flight status. However, with four matches remaining Eunan Conway will have been concerned to lose two more influential players to injury, Mark Sweeney before the interval and the unfortunate Declan O’Hagan on the stroke of full time.
The Cargin attack spear-headed by Tomas McCann on the 40 and Ciaran Close rattled over three points in the opening eight minutes with Cunningham doing well to fire over a reply under pressure. Rooney then won possession to set up McGrady for a score on 10 minutes and from the next phase of play Brolly leveled matters. Loughrey and Sweeney were combining well in the centre, breaking at least even, but needed better support and decision-making up front, particularly from a tentative half forward line. The sides swapped points again, Cunningham equalizing with a free on 15 minutes after O’Hagan was bundled to the ground. But that final contribution for the half was as close as Naomh Brid would get to the visitors. Synnot was penalized by the fussy referee as Cargin restored their lead again. The Malone boys were sharing even possession but, unlike their opposite numbers who were sharp and direct, their attack lacked conviction and guile with too many moves disappearing down cul de sacs. There was no such over-elaboration from Cargin who had willing and able shooters in abundance and two points just before the interval eased them ahead by four.
Half time: Naomh Brid 0-4 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-8
Cunningham converted a free for a foul on McGrady on the resumption to close the gap to a single score but the loss of the influential Sweeney before the interval was now starting to take its toll. Mackle saved brilliantly from McCann on 36 minutes to keep his side in contention but the floodgates were about to open. Cargin added two points to harden their advantage as Naomh Brid’s resistance began to crumble. Mid way through the half Cargin hit a devastating five points from play in as many minutes to put paid to the contest such as it was. The final 10 minutes fizzled out lifelessly with sub Chris McCann and Cunningham bringing the home side’s second half score to three. Cargin ended as they had started with two more points to emphasize their superiority. Just when it seemed things could hardly get worse an injury to Declan O’Hagan in added time looked to have ended his season prematurely. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Full time: Naomh Brid 0-7 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-17
Team: J Mackle, P Finnegan, M Rooney, B Synnot, B McMahon, D O’Hagan, E Smyth, J Loughrey, M Sweeney (Ciaran Mackle), C Taylor (Conor Mackle), B Reilly, C McGrady, R Brolly (C McCann), N Cunningham, A Cole (J Dowling)
