Naomh Brid gave themselves a timely boost ahead of their championship semi final with a five point win over St John’s at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening which secures their place in the top flight for next season. However, it took a much improved second half performance, in contrast to a notably lacklustre opening 30 minutes, to eventually garner the points.
The southsiders were without the influential duo of O’Hagan and McLaughlin, both injured, so the depleted pack was shuffled once more. St John’s boast the league’s biggest midfield pairing and once again the towering duo were in commanding form. Naomh Brid were practically cleaned out in that sector in the first period as their forward line relied on scraps from a limited supply line. Defensive errors had gifted the home side a goal and two points by the 10 minute mark, countering scores from O’Neill and Cunningham. And it was against the run of play when O’Neill, operating on the 40, bore through to set up Donnelly for a clinical equaliser on 15 minutes. St John’s continued to squander chances, landing five short efforts alone into the grateful McSorely’s hands. They were left to rue those misses as on 20 minutes the visitors struck again on the break when O’Neill and Cunningham combined to put through Sweeney who was dragged down for a stick-on penalty, expertly converted by Donnelly. That was Naomh Brid’s last contribution for the half as they continued to toil in the centre and their limited build up play was often too lateral and laboured. St John’s eventually found their range and, with the continued lion’s share of possession, finished the half strongly with four good points from play to restore their lead by the break.
Half time: Naomh Eoin 1-6 Naomh Brid 2-2
With a few personnel and positional adjustments Naomh Brid made a bright start to the second half with notable improvements in the centre. They enjoyed their first period of domination, and while both sides traded wides, points from Cunningham, Loughrey and McCann (2) had opened up a three point lead with 15 minutes remaining. The tight away defence, marshalled well by Christie and Reilly in particular, was closing down space well to blunt an increasingly frustrated St John’s forward line. Loughrey was the provider for a Cunningham point and a free on McCann converted by McGrady. The Corrigan Park crew were still very much in the frame though and with a trio of scores had closed the gap to two when the visitors sealed the points on 60 minutes with a McCann goal from close range after McMahon’s run and pass. There was just time for the sides to swap points as darkness descended at the final whistle.
The points were very welcome but at a cost, as the untimely injuries to Smyth and Donnelly will require the subs bench to be depleted once more on Sunday 12 September when the Malone Road boys travel to Creggan to play Cargin in the Antrim SFC semi final. The management trio of Conway, McGrath and Jennings can take solace from some excellent performances from all five substitutes on the night.
Full time: Naomh Eoin 1-11 Naomh Brid 3-10
Team: W McSorley, J McKeever, A Christie, M Donnelly (D MacAuley) B Reilly, M Rooney, B McMahon, R Smyth injured(Ben Leonard)), J McGuckian (D Edwards), M Sweeney (0-1), R O’Neill (0-1), J Loughrey (0-1), N Cunningham (0-3) (C McGrady (0-2)), C McCann (1-2), C Donnelly (2-0) injured ( R Brolly)
Man of the match: A Christie
