Aghagallon once again proved a thorn in the side of the league leaders as they claimed a well-deserved point at their resplendent pitch on Sunday. Indeed, Naomh Brid were at the mercy of the referee’s watch when the veteran Brolly obliged with a last gasp equalizer.
The script began according to plan as Joe Brolly served notice with two scores following early Naomh Brid domination. But that advantage was wiped out in an instant on nine minutes when a defensive foot block in the small rectangle was penalised and the spot kick was clinically dispatched beyond the helpless Mackle.
An Edwards score following quick thinking by Sweeney levelled affairs, but the gritty lough shore men promptly responded with a good score from a turnover in midfield. Naomh Brid were not having a good day and were left ruing missed opportunities when first Edwards hit the bar and then Donnelly could only find the keeper when a goal seemed certain. A foul against Sweeney for over-carrying summed up a frustrating first half for the Malone boys, but an on-song Brolly restored their lead with two points, the latter made by a superb solo run from defence by O’Hagan. However, Aghagallon were in defiant mode and showed their mettle, picking off two excellent scores in the closing stages to reclaim a slender advantage by the interval.
Half time: Aghagallon 1-3 Naomh Brid 0-5
The home side picked up where they left off on the resumption and extended their lead before Ryan Brolly responded. But there was real concern within the away ranks as the deficit sprang to five, thanks to a fine home point and superbly worked goal within two minutes. Managers MacSherry and Conway quickly rang the changes with the influential O’Hagan moving further up field in a bid to bring much needed urgency to the play.
Sensing two precious points ebbing away, Naomh Brid upped the tempo and at last began to exert their authority. Brolly punished a foul on Sweeney and was then unfortunate to see an effort clip the post before slinging over a point following good work by McCann. An Edwards free chipped further into the lead and, with tension mounting, the impressive Sweeney squeezed in a gem with just five minutes remaining.
With the bit between their teeth the league leaders laid virtual siege to their opponents half in search of an equalizer. It did not seem their day, however, when they struck the woodwork again before Brolly was blown for overplay when in on goal. When the pressure eventually paid off with an Edwards free in the last minute, the relief was brief as Aghagallon sped to the away end and knocked over what appeared to the winner. But with the match on the whistle Naomh Brid dug deep again and the veteran Brolly showed all his experience to take a pass from Sweeney and calmly take his point.
Full time: Aghagallon 2-6 Naomh Brid 0-12
Team: J Mackle, J McKeever, D O’Hagan, P Finegan, J Marley, G McGonigle, B McMahon, M Donnelly, D Edwards, D McAuley, M Sweeney, B Reilly, R Brolly, J Brolly, C McCann (C Mooney)
Man of the match: J McKeever
Next Saturday sees the top-of-the-table clash away to Rasharkin in what will be a league decider. A big support would be welcome as this match promises to be a very tough encounter. Throw in 3.00pm.
