On Wednesday we were hosts to St Joseph’s Glenavy on a wind swept Musgrave Park. This was always going to be a game of two halves due to a very strong wind blowing from the M1 end of the pitch. However playing into the wind in the first half saw St Brigids create a dominant lead, that was never threatened.
The team talk before throw in was about keeping the score ticking over with points and goal opportunities would follow. Well clearly the players had a different take on when to strike.
Glenavy opened the score with a point. Then Martin Ramsey, playing at right full forward, struck twice and instead of taking the simple point hit the back of the net on both occasions. Glenavy assisted with the wind hit a very good long range point. Ciaran O’Duffy, new to the club also new to gaelic football (Harlequins Rugby Player) but standing 6ft 3″ started his first ever gaelic match at full-forward. He had to be instructed about a few of the basic rules before the game and that advice came in very handy – as the next score was a goal when he jumped ad fisted the ball over the keeper.
Glenavy were rattled but St Brigid’s showed no mercy. Chris Quinn pointed, then back from New Zealand, Paul Finnegan playing right half-back pounced on a opportunity and hit the net. David Brennan got 2 points and Niall George after a fine run also pointed. Glenavy finished the first half with a point.
Half Time Score St Brigids 4-4 Glenavy 0-3
With clearly a commanding lead plus the wind in their back it seemed that St Brigid’s had the game won. However Glenavy had a very different take on what was to happen. They bolstered their mid-filed and moved a few players around. The result was that the first 15 of the second half was all St Joseph’s and they scored 1-2 before St Brigid’s responded with two fine points from Chris Quinn. Then Chris Mc Cann, once again coming in as sub, danced around the full backs and when a simple point was for the taking tried to join the list of goal scorers, but was denied. Next ball in he had a different angle and opted for the point.
Glenavy closed the game with a point. Final score St Brigid’s 4-7 Glenavy 1-6
