The benefit of playing in the Ulster Senior Football League was evidenced by the visit to the YMCA on Sunday of one of the top teams in Ireland, Ballinderry Shamrocks. And while Naomh Brid narrowly lost out in this engrossing encounter, overall it was a productive afternoon in terms of valuable experience for Eunan Conway’s men as they gear up for league business next month.
Playing into a stiffish breeze in the first half the home side had a double handful in containing Ballinderry, who, while minus a few regulars including Enda Muldoon, nonetheless fielded a strong team. The Derry club signalled their intent from the throw in as former Derry star Ronan McGuckian strode through the home defence for the opening score. Brolly and Devlin exchanged scores before Cunningham equalized with a free on eight minutes. That was as close as the home side would get, however, as Ballinderry took a stranglehold with five unanswered points in as many minutes. This side could give a master classes in score-taking as their forwards showed how to split the posts from every conceivable angle. Naomh Brid had a good opportunity to reduce the gap when Edwards smartly lobbed a pass to Cunningham unmarked on the edge of the small rectangle but he shot tamely at the keeper. The home side was defending more stoutly now, with Rooney in particular excelling on the wing. But the lough shore men’s defence was as impressive in the art of tackling as their forwards were at shooting, turning over possession at a frustrating rate. The Derry men cemented their advantage with two more points but Naomh Brid kept in touch with frees from Cunningham and Brolly in the closing minutes of the half.
Half time: Naomh Brid 0-4 Ballinderry 0-9
Naomh Brid now playing with the elements started the second period well, Sherry and Edwards grafting and fielding well at midfield. A foul on Sweeney allowed Brolly to keep his personal account ticking over with a free. Ballinderry hit back with two quick-fire points but Edwards finished Naomh Brid’s best move of the match, involving O’Neill and Brolly, with a goal to reduce the margin to three. With the wind advantage the ploy of firing angled balls into space for the forwards to chase was working as O’Neill sent over a gem from the touchline. Points were swapped again, Naomh Brid punished once more for coughing up possession when a pass was the correct option. On 48 minutes hesitancy in the defence from a break ball was mercifully only punished with a point that skimmed the crossbar from the bustling full forward McGeehan. While the Derry side barely hit a wide all afternoon Naomh Brid were more wasteful and less direct, which ultimately proved costly. Cole and McGeehan swapped points before Sherry launched a 40 metre score to narrow the gap to two once more. However, Balllinderry showed their class and experience to close out strongly with two late insurance points that made McMahon’s final score academic.
Full time: Naomh Brid 1-10 Ballinderry 0-16
Team: P McCrudden, J McKeever, R Smyth, A Christie, M Rooney, D O’Hagan,(C Mooney) C Moane, D Edwards, F Sherry, B McMahon, A Cole (D MacAuley), C McGrady (R O’Neill), M Sweeney, N Cunningham, J Brolly
