In perfect conditions the senior men took on top of the table St Teresa’s yesterday, Wednesday 11 June in Musgrave.
It was expected to be a good game and proved to be the case. With 15 minutes gone it was 3 points each. Cormac Mc Grady, Ruairi O’Neill scoring from play and a converted 40 by Ronan Mc Grady. St Teresa’s had two from play plus a free kick. For the next 15 minutes nearly every breaking ball; and certainly every decision by the ref, went in favour of the visitors. They took full advantage racking up 5 points without reply the first three from free kicks. St Brigid’s picking up two yellow cards in the period.
So half time St Brigid’s 0-3 St Teresa’s 0-8.
Declan Morgan gathered the thoughts of all during the break about how important the game was to keep in contention and continuing winning at home.
The first 2 points within 3 minutes of the start were St Brigid’s from Ronan Mc Grady and Phil Loughran. Andy Duffy was felled by a blow to the head, unseen by the ref, which saw him leave the pitch unaware of what was really happening. Having been in contact today his jaw isn’t broken but suffered concussion and may be out for a week or so.
With 15 minutes gone the deficit was down to 2 points after a score by St Teresa’s was followed by a point each from Peter Lundy and Kevin Gallagher. St Teresa’s then hit two very quick points before the game really tightened up with a goal from Ronan Mc Grady in the 17th minute, so only one point in it in favour of St Teresa’s.
It was level at 12 points each with 23 minutes played after Ruairi O’Neill pointed followed by St Teresa’s and a point from Ronan Mc Grady, could have been a goal chance if he had noticed Ruiari unmarked. It was level again with only 5 minutes remaining after St Teresa’s pointed only to be countered by Fregal Sherry doing likewise. Level for the third time in the second half with 2 minutes remaining after St Teresa’s pointed and so did Ronan Mc Grady. Unfortunately in the final minute of normal time St Teresa’s managed to break through and score the winning point. Despite stoppages in play there was just not enough time for a final challenge.
Management and players left to reflect just how close the game was and how easily it could have been a different result. Indeed in the first half Cormac Mc Grady beat the goalkeeper with a tremendous short across the net only for it to bounce off the upright and back into play. Prior to this encounter St Teresa’s had an average of 2 goals per game, however Tommy O’Neill kept a clean sheet and for most of the game was never under any real pressure.
Final score St Brigid’s 1-11 St Teresa’s 0-15
