The warm sunshine drew a healthy crowd to Musgrave Park on Sunday to see Naomh Brid’s eagerly awaited top-of-the-table clash with St Gall’s, 2006 All-Ireland senior finalists. A three week gap in league matches was far from ideal preparation for such a testing encounter, although Eunan Conway was able to select from a full squad with the key exception of James Loughrey, an unfortunate late flu victim.
The home side showed no early signs of inhibitions against their illustrious opponents as they stole a quick march with points from Brolly and Edwards inside four minutes. St Gall’s were uncharacteristically slow to pick up the pace and paid the penalty on eight minutes when Brolly speared a diagonal ball into the path of O’Neill who stretched to hand flick to the net past the stranded keeper. With a handy five-zero lead the portents were good as the Malone men set about their business with some style. When St Gall’s eventually opened their account, Cunningham responded to restore the differential on 11 minutes.
However, the match was about take a very different direction as St Gall’s were stung into action. The Milltown club might have been missing a few faces, but they did have county star Sean Kelly on board, who would inspire a lethal 15 minute onslaught. St Gall’s began to show why they were All Ireland finalists just three years ago as they cut swaths through the home defence. Naomh Brid could not buy possession, first or second phase, in the crucial middle third and conceded five quick points from play as the power balance shifted ominously. The picture worsened on 20 minutes, when O’Hare, who was proving a real handful for Christie at full forward, bustled his way through to score close home past the helpless Mackle. The barrage continued unabated as Niblock tormented the home defence to extend the lead to five. In a rare moment of respite McGrady responded with a good point but St Gall’s finished strongly with two more before the half time whistle brought a charitable halt to proceedings.
Half time: Naomh Brid 1-4 St Gall’s 1-10
A timely re-group in the shade and a pep talk from Conway and Swail brought out an excellent opening 10 minutes to the second half from the home side, who fairly knuckled down to their formidable task. The forward line, which proved at least a match for the St Gall’s defence throughout, was fed a steady supply of ball as Naomh Brid battled to win good possession at midfield. Four unanswered points from Cunningham, Edwards, Brolly and O’Neill brought them within two points and gave real hope. However, St Galls then had a decent phase of their own and, with Kelly pulling the strings, picked off two points between wides to give themselves breathing space once more. In energy-sapping heat Naomh Brid bravely battled into the last 10 minutes as Brolly twice reduced the margin to a goal. But that was as close as they could manage as St Gall’s sealed victory with a final insurance point.
Full time: Naomh Brid 1-10 St Gall’s 1-14
Team: J Mackle, J McKeever (A Cole), A Christie, B Reilly (F Sherry), B McMahon, M Rooney, D O’Hagan, D Edwards (0-2), J McGuckian, C McGrady (0-1), M Sweeney, D MacAuley, R O’Neill (1-1), J Brolly (0-4), N Cunningham (0-2) (P Finegan)
Man of the match: S Kelly (St Gall’s)
In all Naomh Brid can take a lot of heart from this performance. St Gall’s were a massive step up in class from any of their first three matches, but this is the benchmark that must be met. Naomh Brid showed in spells that they were easily a match for their opponents, but ceding control in the middle third for sustained periods against such quality sides as St Gall’s will always carry inevitable consequences. Recovery time will be minimal as Naomh Brid are pressed quickly into action again on Tuesday evening against Portglenone. Throw in at Musgrave Pa
