Naomh Brid may have came up short against St Gall’s, winners by seven points at Milltown on Saturday evening, but the Malone men will nonetheless take heart from a solid and gutsy performance against the All Ireland club champions.
St Galls did the visitors the service of fielding a strong side, Kevin Niblock, Sean Kelly and Aodhan Gallagher being notable exceptions, while Naomh Brid had to start without the influential James Loughrey, who was unfortunately confined to the bench. Playing into a stiffish first half breeze the visitors actually went into an early lead with points from McCann and Cunningham as they showed no inhibitions against their illustrious opponents. Although St Gall’s quickly levelled with a brace of their own in a minute, a Cunningham free restored the lead after Sweeney and McCann did the spadework. Again it was tit-for-tat with St Gall’s responding twice to another pointed free from Cunningham to leave the sides level on 15 minutes. The Malone side was getting a good return from midfield but it was in attack that St Gall’s had the superior firepower. While Naomh Brid showed good movement and aggression upfront, they were at times tentative and reluctant to shoot, in contrast to their hosts whose shooters were instinctive and economical. Lining out at number 13, Karl Steward shone like a beacon in a forward line peppered with talent. He led a succession of frustrated markers a merry dance in a virtuoso performance that garnered nine points from play. He nonchalantly notched five of these in the first half leaving Naomh Brid four adrift at the interval despite replies from Taylor and Cunningham.
Half time: Naomh Gall 0-10 Naomh Brid 0-6
With the introduction of Loughrey and the wind in their favour, there was room for hope for the visitors at the start of the second half, but despite an early converted free from Cunningham won by Loughrey, the Galls scoring machine was straight back in action with Pollock and Stewart each bagging a pair to stretch the advantage to double scores after 40 minutes. It seemed only a goal could spark a comeback and it nearly came about as a sweeping move ended with Cunningham’s pass to O’Neill, whose low shot was denied by a good save by the keeper. McCann bought a free for Cunningham to convert and Synott and Sweeny combined to tee up O’Neill for a fine score as the visitors refused to lie down. While Galls responded with a score, they had a let-off as substitute Niblock’s final pass went astray and another goal chance went a-begging. O’Hagan, Christie and O’Neill grafted to set up scores by Cunningham and McGrady, but St Gall’s always held the upper hand and pulled clear again as Stewart signed off with his final two points.
Full time: Naomh Gall 0-18 Naomh Brid 0-11
Team: J Mackle, B Reilly (J Loughrey), A Christie, B Synott (J McKeever), M Rooney, D O’Hagan, B McMahon, R Smyth (0-1), F Sherry, D McAuley (B Reilly), M Sweeny, C Taylor (0-1) (C McGrady (0-1)), R O’Neill (0-1), N Cunningham (0-6), C McCann (0-1) (T Niblock)
Man of the match: K Stewart (St Gall’s)
