Yesterday evening, Wednesday 21 May, St Brigid’s seniors and reserves were scheduled to play Gort na Mona. However the senior game was cancelled due to preparations for the Antrim v Fermanagh championship game. So it was just the reserves who took to the pitch. Although some of the non-graded players could have been available it was decided to remain with the normal reserve squad, as it had been undefeated in the previous 5 games.
The reserves were joint top of the table but ranked second due to score difference. Gort na Mona were third, so it was always going to be a tight battle. The weather was fine and the game got off to a lively start with Conor Mackle, Martin Ramsey and Chris Quinn slotting over before Gort got on the score sheet. Joe Begley pointed and was followed by a well taken goal by Martin Ramsey. Two points from Gort narrowed the gap which was restored thanks to points from Conor Mackle, David Brennan and Chris Quinn. The first half finished with a point for Gort.
St Brigids 1-7 Gort 0-4
John Bogue and Eamon Convery emphasised that the first 10 minutes of the second half was vital to both teams and therefore we needed a positive start. The team delivered; a point from Chris Quinn was followed by a second goal from Martin Ramsey (all be it a fine display of soccer skills) and a point from Chris Mc Cann. So with 15 minutes into the second half a significant 11 point lead had been established. However Gort were able to strengthen their team with some regular first team players and it wasn’t long until they started scoring. And boy did they start scoring, three points and a goal were rattled though in a 5 minute blitz and a degree of panic set in with the St Brigid’s players and management. Gort’s key player, 6ft 4in mid fielder was put on the edge of the square and the tactic was obvious.
St Brigid’s tried to react however a badly timed positional switch left a two on one situation and Gort scored a second goal. St Brigid’s were still two points ahead. However a high ball into the tall full-forward saw a goal mouth scramble. Gorts umpire indicated that the ball crossed the line, which was strongly disputed however the referee awarded the score and for the first time in the game St Brigid’s were behind by a point. Gort added another point before a well struck shot from Chris Mc Cann was deflected onto the crossbar and went over rather than under.
It was a game of two periods. The first three quarters were well controlled by St Brigid’s and the final 15 minutes was a series of errors and panic plus some determined play by Gort, which saw them win by a single point.
A lesson was learned as the team suffered defeat. There was a palpable sense of utter disbelief as to what had happened. Anyhow it time to move on to the next game.
St Brigids 2-10 Gort na mona 3-8
