Naomh Brid rounded off their season on Sunday at Musgrave with a comprehensive win over Glenavy that lifted them into fourth spot on 17 points from the same games, thus matching exactly their points tally and league positon from the previous season. Once again Conway’s resources were stretched to the limit with only 16 personnel available. But there was a welcome return for veteran Joe Brolly, while at the other end of the scale, Kieran and Conor Mackle joined their proud dad in the starting 15, both making impressive contributions.
Glenavy may have opened the scoring in the first minute, but it was obvious from early on that their young side would struggle to match the greater experience and ability of the home side. At full forward and the fulcrum of the attack, Brolly gave a stark reminder, with his accomplished finishing and overall composure, of what had been crucially missing in the two championship semi-final jousts with Portglenone. Taylor, McMahon, from a defensive foray, and Brolly quickly opened their accounts as Naomh Brid settled into the task. But with a full 20 minutes gone, the sides having further exchanged converted frees, a mere two point lead was a meagre return for the home side’s glut of possession and opportunities.
Glenavy did their best to counter but their attacking threat was blunted effectively by McMahon, Christie and Rooney, with young Mackle too making the best of his starting opportunity. The overall momentum rested with the home side and more scores were inevitable as the blues continued to press forward in numbers. They finished the half with a flurry of points from Taylor, Brolly and O’Neill (2), with a solitary reply from the visitors, to give the scoreboard a more healthy and realistic look.
Half time: Naomh Brid 0-8 Glenavy 0-3
Glenavy’s penultimate score came within seconds of the resumption as the second period thereafter took on the appearance of the first with Naomh Brid firmly in control again. Brolly took his tally to five while O’Neill with another brace, MacAuley and McMahon, who linked impressively from defence, stretched the lead to nine and well beyond Glenavy’s reach.
With seven minutes remaining Loughrey was the architect of the move of the match, his 60 metre run ending with a pass to O’Neill who selflessly found the in-rushing Mackle for a flick to the net, which capped a fine performance for the sixth former. Glenavy to their credit battled to the end and were rewarded with a converted free but substitute Cunningham had the last say in injury time as Naomh Brid drew the curtain on their 2009 season on a high note. The return to early season form of O’Neill was pleasing to see as was the early return from injury of Declan O’Hagan.
Full time: Naomh Brid 1-14 Glenavy 0-5
Team: J Mackle, K Mackle, R Smyth, C Connolly, B McMahon (0-2), M Rooney, A Christie, J Loughrey, F Sherry, D MacAuley (0-1), D O’Hagan (B Loughran), C Taylor (0-2) (N Cunningham), R O’Neill (0-4), J Brolly (0-5), C Mackle (1-0)
Man of the match: J Brolly
