Antrim All-County League Div 5 Monday, 20 April
St Brigid’s II…………….1-09
St Gall’s II…………………1-10
At a glorious sunswept Musgrave Park St Brigid’s went down by the minimum margin on Monday evening. In what turned out to be a tense affair with many talking points, it all ended in severe disappointment for the South Belfast men as their more experienced opponents held out for a one point victory.
St Brigid’s were slow to start as they were second to the ball during the early exchanges and allowed St.Galls race into an early three point lead. St Brigid’s kept in touch with points from Jimmy King and Jack Dowling, however, they appeared to be struggling with the pace of the visitors’ attack. St Gall’s again cut through the centre of the St Brigid’s defence before rattling the home sides net in what was the first goal to be conceded by St Brigid’s this season. The early introduction of Mark Kelly and Fergal Sherry did stem the flow and allowed St Brigid’s compete to a better level. A change in tactics saw newcomer Thomas Niblock drop back to centre back allowing Paul Finnegan to shadow the all running St Gall’s midfield. The Malone men started to claw their way back with a free kick from Jimmy King before Eoin Ross ended a well worked move with a superb point. A shot from Jack Dowling which appeared to be heading over the bar, dipped at the last seconds and landed in the net in what seemed a crucial goal for Naomh Bríd.
Half time score: St Brigid’s 1-06 St Gall’s 1-06
St Brigid’s started the second half in a much more positive fashion and took the lead for the first time from a Jimmy King free kick. Despite dominating the high ball at midfield the home team seemed to struggle with the short patient play of the St Gall’s men and allowed their opponents time on the ball to pick off accurate passes. Two unanswered points from the Milltown men restored their lead before St Brigid’s drew level with a point from the hard working John McGuckian.
The game was now being played with championship intensity and St.Brigids were at last showing glimpses of the heart and passion that had been missing for the entire first half. St Brigid’s were then hit with a hammer blow as influential substitute Fergal Sherry was shown a straight red card for retaliation after winning a free kick. Whilst this dismissal appeared to be harsh it was its timing that proved most costly as St Gall’s used the extra man wisely and effectively during the closing periods. St.Brigid’s tried hard to break down the crowded St.Gall’s defence and did have chances to win the match as shots from Jimmy King and Ryan Brolly drifted agonisingly wide. As a draw looked like a certain result, St.Galls scored a final point against the run of play which was greeted with the sound of the final whistle.
This was a disappointing performance from the Naomh Bríd men and one where few players will have added to their reputations. However, John McGuckian, Damien McElhome and Eddie Smyth did try hard for the home team. Most worrying for the St. Brigids management will be the fact that this was their second game to go down by a single point. That said, the fight and character shown in the second half did offer hope and many players will have learned valuable lessons from this encounter. The hunt for promotion continues despite this disappointing setback.
St.Brigids: Duncan McAuley, Damien McElhome, Brendan McDonald, Eddie Smyth, Gary Brennan, Paul Finnegan, Chris Mooney, John McGuckian (0-01), Thomas Niblock, Eoin Ross (0-1), Jack Dowling (1-01), Mick Malone, Jimmy King (0-5), Ryan Brolly (0-1), Conor Mackle Subs: Mark Kelly for Brendan McDonald (22), Fergal Sherry for Mick Malone (29) Paul McCrudden for Jack Dowling (39) Brian Loughran for Conor Mackle (50), Ryan Mackle for Eoin Ross
