An under-strength Naomh Brid ended their five-match losing sequence in Div 1 with a two-point victory over Creggan on Saturday afternoon, thereby rubber-stamping their top-flight status next season. Despite being outscored over the hour a trio of first half goals proved a sufficient cushion to deny the resilient young Kichham side, who staged a brave late comeback.
Both sides were minus a number of regulars and the sparse attendance at the superb Creggan venue on a perfect autumn day reflected the reality of an end-of-season mid-table fixture. Creggan took the opportunity to give match experience to no less than five students playing MacRory Cup football, while Eunan Conway gave run-outs to his entire travelling panel, resulting in a revolving door of substitutions.
The conditions and pitch suited an expansive open game as the scores flowed liberally, though mainly from the visitors. Donnelly opened his account early to cancel a Creggan point from the throw-in. Playmaker Loughrey set up goal chances in quick succession. First, McGrady’s effort was just edged out for a 45, but then on eight minutes Aidan Cole made no mistake close in from a Cunningham lay-off. Creggan had added a point from a free when McCann latched onto a long-range pass from O’Neill to crash home a second goal on 18 minutes.
The Creggan youngsters stuck to their guns, and while the Naomh Brid defence was well marshalled by the vigilant Reilly and MacAuley in particular, they managed a smattering of converted frees to keep them in the picture. But overall the Malone boys were dominant and their lively attack delivered scores from Cole, McGrady and Cunningham, while in between Taylor took a slick McCann pass to finish off a sweeping move to claim what would prove to be the decisive third goal on 30 minutes.
Half time: Creggan Kickhams 0-7 Naomh Brid 3-5
Whether it was the handy lead banked from the first period, Naomh Brid went decidedly off the boil after the interval as Creggan’s eager youngsters made a proper fist of it. After a barren 10 minutes for both sides Creggan struck a rich vein with two points and a fisted goal that had more than a suspicion of square ball about it. With the handsome lead now shrunk to two there were concerns that the recent second half failings would prove costly again. Cole did relieve the pressure slightly with Naomh Brid’s first of only two points in the half on 48 minutes. But back came Creggan who had the bit between their teeth and struck twice in quick succession to leave just a point between the sides going into the final minutes. It was converted midfielder Rooney, who had grafted well throughout, that provided the pass for Cunningham to fire over the last score and grant Naomh Brid’s first win over Creggan at senior level.
Full time: Creggan Kickhams 1-11 Naomh Brid 3-7
Team: J Mackle, B Reilly, D MacAuley, J McKeever, B Synnot (P Finnegan), B McMahon, C Connolly (E Smyth), M Rooney, J Loughrey, C Taylor (C Mackle), A Cole (C Mooney), C McGrady, R O’Neill (T McGough), N Cunningham, C McCann
Man of the match: B Reilly
