The league start on Sunday 13 April with Tir na nOg (Randalstown) being the home team. It proved to be a mixed bag for the club as St Brigid’s reserves won 1-12. to 0-7. However the seniors went down in a rather poor game 1-10 to 0-7. Declan Morgan and Andy Moohan, senior team coaches, were not a bit pleased and it showed in the next training sessions. The team put in solid work to rebuild during the training, despite it being interrupted with Easter holidays.
Its always important for a team to win home games and the first opener was against Roger Casements (Portglenone) who have very convincing wins in both reserve and senior in their first games against Ballymena. So it would require a big performance from all the players to come away with the much needed points from Musgrave today.
RESERVES
After a minutes silence as a tribute for John Cahill, a member of the first committee in 1998 and coach/manager for many years the games commenced.
Up first were the reserves who looked like only having 14 players until Niall Mc Donald, although carrying an injury, committed to play along with long term injured player Chris Mc Cann decided he could be the only sub and give 10/15 minutes if required. St Brigids started well with four points before Portglenone really got into their stride and put over 7 points in a row, however the final score of the first half was a point for St Brigids. Half time St Brigids 0-5 Portglenone 0-7.
Eamon Convery and John Bogue, reserve management, made a couple of positional changes at half-time and had convinced the team that all was still to be played for. The second half started with three points for St Brigids to go 1 clear. Then Martin Ramsy hit the back of the net to ease St Brigids into a four point margin. Once again Portglenone responded with 2 quick points. Then on came Chris Mc Cann for Paddy Cagney and it proved to be one of those days for Chris who struck 2 goals to get claer ground between the teams. Portglenone stunned by the change in fortune lost composure and yellow plus black cards were being handed out, they quickly found themselves down to 13 men. None the less they created a number of chances in the last 10 minutes and found the net on an amazing 3 times. David Brennan stopped the slide with a well taken goal and St Brigids ran out winners. 3-13 to 3-7. With other results submitted the reserves go top of the table, however it will require a greater turnout of players to try and retain that lofty position.
SENIORS
Although plagued with players unavailable mainly due to injuries the seniors put out as strong a team as possible. Five minutes in saw St Brigids 2 points up thanks to Cormac and his brother Ronan Mc Grady. By 10 minutes it was all level. A point for Cormac was followed by Ruairi O’Neill finding the back of the net to restore confidence, another point from Cormac stretched the lead. Portglenone came back with 2 points with only 5 minutes to half-time. St Brigids put on a great period of football and finshed with a point and a second goal from Ruairi. Half time St Brigids 2-6 Portglenone 0-4.
Everyone on the St Brigids team was aware that Portglenone were rattled and would throw everything into the mix in the second half, and the visitors opened with the first point in the second half. Cieran Maolne, playing his first game for St Brigids seniors sent the ball crashing into the net for a goal. However almost instantly Portglenone retaliated with a goal of their own. It seemed to reinvigorate their energy and Portglenone went on the offensive. With six minutes of normal time remaining Portglenone, after a series of points for both teams, had reduced the deficit to 3 points. It then became very intense and with the referee going well over the normal time, by some 9 minutes, it turned out to be an intensive finish to the game as Portglenone sought an equaliser. St Brigids management sacrificed forwards for more defensive players and it worked out. The final score after an thrilling game was St Brigids 3-11 Portglenone 1-14.
So a double win at home helps moral. There is no break to relax as on Wednesday it is a tough away fixture to All Saints, Ballymena.
