There was no joy for the home side on Wednesday evening as St Johns repeated their early league win at Musgrave last season.
Naomh Brid were missing the services of several experienced personnel for this ACL Div 1 opener, thus paving the way for three senior debutants in Dowling, Lundy and Morrow. Much of the responsibility therefore fell on the shoulders of the two county men Loughrey and Sweeney, who both performed heroically throughout. Overall, though, St Johns were deserving three point winners as they made the most of their aerial advantage in the middle third providing the ammunition for their lively forward line to pick off some excellent scores both from play and place kicks.
The first quarter was evenly contested with four scores apiece, the home side narrowly ahead on the scoreboard courtesy of an excellent Sweeney goal on seven minutes, finishing a move he started himself with a fine catch in the centre. Gradually, though, St Johns increased their grip at midfield as their forwards were fed a steady supply of possession. Despite being forced to shoot under pressure by an industrious blues defence, their accuracy from a range of angles and shooters was impressive, hitting four points without reply in a five minute burst. A Morrow 45 and a Loughrey point after good work by Dowling and Sweeney had levelled the match on 27 minutes but St Johns just edged ahead again on the whistle.
HT: Naomh Brid 1-5 Naomh Eoin 0-9
On the restart McGrady levelled up with a converted a free for a foul on Dowling whose big physical presence was a welcome dimension. The game ebbed and flowed evenly with neither side able to steal a march. Points from Sweeney, Morrow, Loughrey and a McGrady free for a foul on Loughrey kept the Malone men well in the picture with nine minutes remaining. By this time St Johns, who had maintained their near perfect scoring conversion rate, held a single point lead. However, a communication slip-up saw the home side gift simple possession at midfield and St Johns swept into attack to win a free on the 13 metre line. The defence seemed to be caught unawares as the ball was quickly lashed into the net and the referee noted the score despite petition.
Naomh Brid went all out and with five minutes still on the clock had reduced the margin to two with points from Sweeney and McGrady. However, St Johns steadied with a point and in a frantic finale, with the home side camped deep in attack, they eventually saw off a flurry of desperate goal attempts, which met with the approval of an intrigued group of German tourists who made up nearly half the Musgrave attendance.
Full time: Naomh Brid 1-12 Naomh Eoin 1-15
Team: W McSorley, J McKeever, A Christie, C Mackle (N Cunningham), J Loughrey (0-3), B McMahon, P Lundy, R Smyth, M Sweeney (1-2), J Dowling, F Sherry, R O’Neill, A Morrow (0-2), D Edwards (0-1), C McGrady (0-4)
Next up it’s a tricky trip to Creggan on Sunday in Rd 2. Throw in: 6pm.
