St Brigids fourth straight win in a row now sees them top Div. 5 and their quest for promotion remains right on track.
In a competitive opening quarter St Brigid’s opened their account well with points from Jimmy King and the lively Conor Mackle. With both teams sharing the spoils around the middle of the park it was the South Belfast men who were more clinical in front of goal as they made best use of each of their attacks. King added to the early St Brigid’s lead with a free kick before Conor Taylor popped over a superb long range effort. Then came the move of the match with great work by Jack Dowling, splitting the St Enda’s defence before releasing to Ryan Brolly. Brolly drew two players before releasing quickly to find the unmarked Conor Mackle who didn’t hesitate before dispatching neatly to the St Enda’s net in what was a superbly worked goal. Gary Brennan and Paul Finnegan followed up quickly to score two excellent points giving St Brigid’s a very healthy half time lead.
Conor Mullan was forced to retire early in the second half with a knee injury. However, St Brigid’s were looking stronger in all sectors of the pitch as St. Endas struggled to break through a tenacious away defence. Jimmy King stepped forward once more with an excellent left footed kick after terrific work by Ben Sinnott, Paul Finnegan and Mick Malone. Despite the St Brigid’s dominance the home side were not giving up and tried hard to drag themselves back into the game. They did threaten the St Brigid’s goal on a number of occasions, however, Gerry Bogue was equal to any threat and solid under the high ball. Two unanswered scores by St Enda’s saw St Brigid’s regain possession and great points by Mick Malone and Conor Taylor. Substitutes Brian Loughran and Daniel McKeever also got on the score sheet with two fine individual efforts before Conor Mackle fired over again to close the scoring for St.Brigids.
It was an impressive and diligent display by the St Brigid’s men with many of their younger players stepping forward in style. Gerry Bogue, Thomas McKeogh, Jack Dowling and Conor Mackle all showed glimpses of great potential which promises much for the future. Whilst this was another solid and convincing performance by St.Brigids it was not a sensational one with their dogged defence still not conceding a goal this season underlining a great work ethic. Collie Connolly, Paul Finnegan and Damien McElhome were all outstanding in defence but it was in the forward line that St Brigid’s showed great penetration and appetite for scores. Jimmy King and Conor Taylor worked hard and were ably assisted by the hard working Dowling, Brolly and Mackle.
St.Brigids: Gerry Bogue, Damien McElhome, Thomas McKeogh, Collie Connolly, Paul Finnegan (0-01), Ben Sinnott, Mark Kelly, Conor Mullan, Mick Malone (0-02), Conor Taylor (0-2), Jack Dowling, Gary Brennan (0-01), Ryan Brolly, Jimmy King (0-06), Conor Mackle (1-01).
Subs: Anthony McVeigh for Conor Mullan (Inj 32), Mel McSherry for Gary Brennan (39), Brian Loughran (0-01) for Paul Finnegan (42), Andrew Sweeny for Ben Sinnott (44), Daniel McKeever (0-01) for Jimmy King (50).
