The visitors from north Antrim were a bit more effective in the early exchanges opening a two points to one lead and two corner forwards asking the home defence a few questions. However, two shots against Conor Leonard’s crossbar was a poor return for the men in green. They were soon punished at the other end by James Gildea goaling from close range after effective work from Conway and Leonard in the middle, and the confidence visibly grew. Points followed from Peter Mooney and Ronan McGrady, and the hosts bossed the rest of the half.
the score at the short whistle was 1:5 to 0:4
Clear and concise instructions were passed on from Neil Quinn at half time to the corner men and in the second half Jack Cassidy and Conal Kelly duly performed their roles to perfection. Cassidy, Kelly and full back Mulvenna cutting out sorties by the Dunloy attack time and time again. In the half back line Sean McKernan had his usual sterling role and Donal Prenter marked a return to form with an eye catching 60 minutes.
Captain Ronan Mackle led by example and Conway and Leoanard worked hard, with Leonard displaying some excellent handling.
Mark Gribben moved to full forward at the break and won a vital free after ten minutes when a couple of earlier chances were squandered. The conversion spread confidence and Naomh Brid did not look back. A purple patch from McGrady who up until this had had an indifferent game, but his 1:1 sealed the game in some style.
The goal and a quick point followed by a hard earned breaking ball sent the Malone boy’s on their way. Mark Stuart, Gerard Henvey and Finn McKernan all contributed to this welcome victory. Stuart time and time again getting on the ball and was unlucky not to goal late in the game.
next up is an away trip to Glenravel next tuesday night in the All county league.
All available minors are asked to attend the south antrim match on thursday night and attend senior training on sunday
