Creggan Kichham’s high-tailed it back down the M22 with both points from this ACL Div 1 game following a last minute goal that snatched victory from a rueful home side. But, in truth, this was not entirely the smash-and-grab show it might seem from Mickey Moran’s men, as Naomh Brid will dwell on a 15-minute spell that would ultimately prove their undoing.
The home side settled quickly and their early domination was rewarded somewhat unexpectedly when a speculative ball from Barry McMahon eluded Joe Brolly and bounced over the off-guard keeper into the net. Creggan opened their account courtesy of a soft free on nine minutes but were rocked again moments later when Richard Smyth’s good work and lay-off saw Joe Brolly round the keeper and fire home unchallenged. Confidence oozing from the perfect start, and exerting a firm grip at midfield, the Malone boys’ territorial domination drew a succession of frees which were punished by Donnelly, Brolly and Cole (2), to leave the home side an unthinkable nine points clear as half time beckoned.
But, in the final minutes of the half, Creggan stirred from their torpor to hit back with three points from play, in a glimpse of the form that saw them lead Div 1 during the early rounds of last year’s campaign.
Half time: Naomh Brid 2-4 Creggan 0-4
Any hopes the home support had that half time would prove a timely interruption to Creggan’s revival were quickly dispelled as the away scoreboard ticked into overdrive. A resurgent Creggan took up where they had left off in the first half, hitting six points from all angles inside the first 12 minutes, with a solitary Brolly reply going almost unnoticed in the maelstrom. The healthy home bank balance accrued from the first period was by now depleted and the increasingly concerned management switched Loughrey and Edwards to midfield to stem the tide. While this had the effect of steadying the ship, Naomh Brid could hardly afford to hit four successive wides before Edwards superbly flicked over the bar from Brolly’s assist to restore a two point cushion on 51 minutes. However, Creggan’s response was immediate from a free as the game intensified going into the final moments. When Niall Cunningham pointed a free on 58 minutes it seemed as though just enough had been done to secure the points. However, there was a final twist as Creggan punished the Malone boys’ failure to run down the clock, crashing home an unstoppable pile-driver with time virtually up.
Full time: Naomh Brid 2-7 Creggan 1-11
While Naomh Brid will obviously be disappointed to lose two home points, they will take heart from the much of their display against a strong Div 1 side. Stepping up to the top flight is no doubt a steep learning curve, but the early signs are that Conor MacSherry’s charges will more than hold their own in this company as they gain in experience.
Team: J Mackle, J McKeever (N Cunningham), D O’Hagan, A Christie, B McMahon, J Loughrey, M Donnelly, D MacAuley, R Smyth, B Reilly, M Sweeney, A Cole (R Brolly), R O’Neill, J Brolly, D Edwards
Man of the Match: O McLarnon (Creggan)
