Naomh Brid moved up to joint second spot in ACL Div 1 with a deserved win over Lamh Dhearg on Wednesday evening. The Hannahstown venue is a notoriously difficult hunting ground, so the six point victory over the Red Hands, who had Paddy Cunningham restored to the team, was a satisfying one for Dowling’s men.
Playing with the slope in the first half the home side were quickly into their stride with a couple of points, but Loughrey and the marauding Gallagher, after good work by O’Neill, registered points apiece to settle the blues. Despite a smattering of early wides, Lamh Dhearg edged back in front with another brace of scores in a minute as Naomh Brid were punished twice for dwelling on the ball. But O’Neill, who was incisive and prominent throughout, and Smyth restored parity with fine points as the game swung to and fro. The two Cunninghams swapped frees before Naomh Brid stole a march as Sweeney spearheaded a productive five minute spell. The midfielder hit three excellent points from play with the groundwork laid by Christie, Mackle, O’Neill and Loughrey.
Lamh Dhearg were missing the services of Finucane in goal and a slack kickout on 21 minutes was snapped up by Cunningham who passed to Edwards for a simple flick over the keeper to the net. The blues defence was working well as a unit and an out-of-sorts Paddy Cunningham was well shackled by Loughrey, as the Saffrons marksman was limited to a couple of converted frees in the closing stages of the half, though he was unfortunate to see one shot rebound off the post. By the half time whistle Naomh Brid had stretched their lead to seven points with a second and decisive goal swept home by Sweeney from a pass by O’Neill, who then earned a free close in for Cunningham to convert.
Half time: Lamh Dhearg 0-8 Naomh Brid 2-9
Lamh Dhearg eventually re-emerged for the second half and immediately stepped up the pace with Conor Murray influential at midfield. Playing up the hill they monopolised early possession and, despite squandering some early chances, struck three unanswered points to give the home crowd some cheer. But Loughrey and Sweeney continued to carry a threat and fouls on these two were punished by the boot of Cunningham to keep a clear margin between the sides. With Paddy Cunningham’s influence largely curtailed, the Red Hands’ attack lacked inspiration. Wing backs Gallagher and Daly impressed again as Naomh Brid ran down the clock. A flurry of changes by Dowling did not alter the pattern of the match as the sides traded late points in a contest that had long lost its spark.
Full time: Lamh Dhearg 0-13 Naomh Brid 2-13
Team: W McSorley, D MacAuley (P Lundy), A Christie, C Mackle, R Daly, B McMahon, K Gallagher (0-1), R Smyth (0-1) (A Morrow), M Sweeney (0-3), J Dowling (M Ward), D Edwards (1-0), J Loughrey (1-2), M Malone (G Bogue), N Cunningham (0-5), R O’Neill (0-1)
Man of the match: R O’Neill
