Naomh Brid’s old failings came back to haunt them as a late collapse gifted Creggan both league points at Musgrave on Friday evening. With a seven point lead heading into the final quarter the blues’ position seemed unassailable, but the loss of the influential Smyth at midfield, combined with an error ridden finale, breathed life into the visitors, who seized their opportunity with both hands to win by two points.
While absenteeism to county duty and the holiday season denuded the team of considerable experience, it provided welcome starting debuts for minors Gerry Bogue and Andy Sweeney, with the former impressing in a fine half back display. Creggan’s opener on two minutes was promptly cancelled as Taylor set up Edwards for the equalizer. O’Hagan and Edwards then combined to release McGrady whose point provided the briefest of leads. The Naomh Brid defence were slow to clear their lines and a speculative hoof from a turnover looped high over Mackle and into the net for a Creggan lead on five minutes. The sides traded scores as O’Hagan linked with Cunningham for a point only for Creggan to respond after a soft turnover. However, the home midfield was winning a healthy share of possession and they combined well for a Smyth point on 16 minutes. From the kick-out Edwards played in Taylor for the equalizer as the experimental home side settled into the game. They were guilty of some wides, though, and had fallen behind again before Reilly sprang up to feed McCann, who levelled on 25 minutes. Reilly broke up play again as Edwards found O’Hagan for the lead, which Cunningham doubled on the whistle.
Half time: Naomh Brid 0-8 Creggan 1-3
The energetic Bogue bounded from defence on the resumption to take a pass from O’Hagan and deservedly claim his first senior score. And the same two combined again with Sherry two minutes later as McCann added the finishing touch close home for a somewhat scrappy goal to extend the lead to six. Creggan managed a point of their own but Conway’s men held sway and when the lively McCann bagged a quick brace of points on 36 minutes, it seemed as though they would simply stretch away. After a further uneventful 10 minutes, during which neither side troubled the scoreboard, the match could surely only be thrown away. But the wheels were about to come off the wagon in spectacular fashion. The home side broke the golden rule of never relaxing when in front and began to indulge in over-elaborate play and dwelling on the ball. Creggan had not given up the fight and were now being given every encouragement to stage a comeback. With the injured Smyth sidelined, they had now gained the upper hand at midfield and their economical forwards were making steady inroads on the deficit. Six unanswered points had whittled the lead to the minimum with five minutes remaining. The home side were shapeless and without momentum. In their crisis of confidence, they could not buy a steadying score they so badly needed. There was worse to follow on 57 minutes when another penetrating Creggan attack drew a desperate tackle in the box and the penalty, correctly awarded, was cleanly dispatched past Mackle for the lead. In the closing minutes, a clearly frustrated Naomh Brid were in danger of losing their discipline, as well as composure, as Creggan pulled down the shutters to claim a most unlikely victory.
Full time: Naomh Brid 1-11 Creggan 2-10
Team: J Mackle, B Reilly, B McMahon, M Donnelly, G Bogue (0-1) (T Niblock), D O’Hagan (0-1), F Sherry, R Smyth (0-1) (K McLaughlin), J McGuckian, N Cunningham (0-1), D Edwards (0-2), C Taylor (0-1), A Sweeney (R Brolly), C McCann (1-3), C McGrady (0-1) (C Donnelly)
