After the disappointment of a 5 point defeat to St Paul’s second string (not the 3 reported by the Naomh Bríd Ministry of Propaganda), the reserves opened their account for the season with a hard-fought victory at home. With both teams missing a host of chances, the scant 13 points registered in the good conditions of Musgrave Park will be a sore point for both managers, with the Blue and Gold in particular missing a penalty in each half. Still, the reserves can take heart from a gutsy performance, particularly given that they ended the game with 13 men.
The first half began with a number of wides despite good play by Brigid’s, with the forwards finding space and the full-back line in particular marshaling their markers well. The first score on the board was a 30 yard effort from Ben Leonard–who had to come off with a knee knock shortly afterwards–quickly followed by an equaliser. Naomh Brid were nearly ahead a few minutes later when Martin Ramsey hit the bar via a finger-tip save from the keeper. After a Conor Mackle free, Glenavy hit back with two scores (one from a free) but both sides then continued to miss opportunities: Ramsey again hitting the bar in a carbon copy to his first effort. However 25 minutes in Brigids finally responded with a leveling Mackle free after Andrew Sweeney was fouled. The game looked set to end level at the break, until quick ball into Brendan McDonald set up a chance for Sweeney who was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty in injury time. Ramsey strutted up to the spot and promptly sent the ball crashing onto the blackspot; though the goal was gaping the referee couldn’t even find enough time for a rebound.
Half-Time Score: NB 0-3 Glenavy 0-3
With no changes at half-time the game settled into a familiar rhythm after the break, with the home side dominant. Ramsey atoned for his sins by scoring an impressive point to tie after Glenavy opened the scoring with a minor, and Brigid’s rattled 5 in succession. In between times a second Brigid’s penalty was awarded, but Dowling’s effort was saved by the impressive visiting keeper and the ball was cleared easily. However, the substitute recovered to win a free in a scoreable position which was eventually converted by Peter Lundy. A particular highlight of the pruple patch was a Sweeney score struck with aplomb after brilliant work from Bogue and McDonald. After a minor scuffle in which the visitors seemed most at fault, Jack Dowling and Andrew Duffy, along with a Glenavy man, were sent off given a time-out and told to think really hard about what they’d done for the rest of the match. Naomh Brid regrouped and held out by denying Glenavy space, conceding a solitary point until the end, with a few shaky moments from visitor 50’s inbetween. As the final whistle shrilled the sense of relief was palpable.
Naomh Brid: Ronan Mackle; Ciaran Mackle, M Donnelly, E Smyth; P Lundy (0-3, 1f), A Duffy, G Bogue; B Leonard (0-1), B Kelly; K McCrudden, M Malone, Conor Mackle (0-2 fs); M Ramsey (0-1, m pen), B McDonald, A Sweeney (0-1).
Subs: J Dowling (m pen) for Leonard, 20; D McKeever for Ramsey, 55.
Full-Time Score: NB 0-8 Glenavy 0-5
To sum up, a host of fluffed chances on both sides. 2 missed penalties. 3 phantom reds. Ramsey hit the bar nearly as many times as he did in Lavery’s the night before; later claimed that Simon was masquerading as him (on a related note, Happy 21st Birthday Ciaran and Ryan). The anorak might have encouragingly noted that all scores were from Under-21 players. The casual fan might have observed that No. 13 wore pink boots. Over and out.
