It was honours even at the Bannside on Wednesday night as Portglenone snatched a deserved point in the dying moments as twilight descended. Punters with an eye for the value draw bet could do worse than follow Naomh Brid who have now shared the spoils in three of their last seven matches. This time the blues were denied both points courtesy of a converted 30 metre free, the final kick in an even and sporting contest.
Portglenone were quickly into their stride with a brace of points in the opening two minutes, but Naomh Brid promptly hit back with two of their own as Donnelly wrestled for possession first to set up McCann and then to win a free converted by McGrady. Portglenone were direct in attack and drew fouls that restored their two point advantage as the play flowed back and forth on their compact pitch. Back came the visitors as Mc Guckian rose highest to free the marauding O’Hagan for a score and then Sherry and McCann were the joint providers for McGrady who levelled up on 12 minutes. McGuckian and Smyth, forging a decent midfield partnership, combined with Taylor who lofted a long range point on the run for the lead at the midway stage. In a nip-and-tuck contest Portglenone were straight back as Doherty and Storrie carried the central threat along with McAleese who was winnning an alarming amount of ball in the corner. Two quick-fire points later and the lead had changed hands again.
From then to the break, both sides were guilty of wasteful possession. Portglenone registered more actual wides while the blues attack lacked a cutting edge. Notably their full forward trio were at a height disadvantage over their markers who were comfortable in mopping up break ball from a succession of aerial deliveries when a lower trajectory would have evened the contests. The visitors eventually ended the drought on 30 minutes when Taylor pointed after good work by MacAuley and Smyth.
Half time: Portglenone 0-6 Naomh Brid 0-6
The second period began with an early home point and they regained the lead again from a free on 38 minutes after Taylor had equalised from a Sherry pass. It was time to introduce Loughrey whose pace and potency in attack reaped immediate dividends. He took a pass from Smyth on the burst and played in McCann for a point and in the next move did the same for MacAuley for the lead again. On 44 minutes Naomh Brid seemed in the ascendancy as Loughrey fielded well and burrowed through the centre to set up Ryan Brolly for a third score without reply. However, in a match of twists and turns, a defiant Portglenone came onto a game themselves as Storrie and Doherty led the way. In a five minute spell reminiscent of last year’s championship replay the Bannsiders hit four super points to reclaim the lead by two with the clock ticking down. Once more Conway’s full quota of subs had been used as the battle raged on from end to end. Sherry did well to set up McCann who reduced the margin to one. Then Donnelly grafted hard for possession to atone for a misplaced pass and the move ended with McCann firing over the umpteenth equalizer. Just when it seemed Brolly had won the match with his second point after Loughrey and Edwards had combined well to tee him up, Portglenone made the most of their final opportunity from a last ditch free to secure a deserved point in an entertaining encounter.
Full time: Portglenone 0-13 Naomh Brid 0-13
Team: J Mackle, B Reilly ( G Bogue), M Rooney, J McKeeever, D MacAuley (0-1) (M Donnelly), D O’Hagan (0-1), F Sherry, J McGuckian, R Smyth, C Donnelly (J Loughrey), D Edwards, C Taylor (0-3) (R Brolly (0-2)), R O’Neill, C McCann (0-4), C McGrady (0-2) (N Cunningham)
Man of the match G McAleese (Portglenone)
