ACL Div 1: Naomh Brid back to winning ways

Naomh Brid made a little bit of history on Wednesday evening by winning their first senior match at Moneyglass and in doing so lifted themselves up a notch to fifth place in ACL Div 1 after Round 11. The four point victory was all the more satisfying as it was achieved with a skeleton squad whose solitary sub, Peter Lundy, was pressed early into action to replace the influential Richard Smyth who had suffered a head gash. However, the brave midfielder would re-emerge for the second half, bloodied and bandaged, to play an important part in stemming the St Ergnat’s tide.
 
While the southsiders had the wind in the first half, their hosts made the early running and notched up two quick points. Slowly Naomh Brid settled in with points from Sweeney and McGrady. The match was arguably decided with two goals on 9 and 11 minutes which left Moneyglass gamely chasing a deficit they would erase but never overhaul. First Loughrey, who shone brightest for the visitors, threaded an exquisite through ball to O’Neill whose reverse hand pass found the oncoming Smyth, who slammed a low shot into the net. Then it was the turn of the McGrady boys with younger Ronan, who had an impressive match at No 12, finding brother Cormac with a neat pass, which he steered home from close range.
 
Moneyglass were resolute though and with veteran Kevin Brady leading their attack they scored four excellent points against a stiff wind. However, their hopes took a nosedive on 20 minutes as they were reduced to 14 men after the referee spotted a clear strike on the grounded O’Hagan. Loughrey and Lundy then swapped a brace of points with the hosts to maintain a two point lead at the interval.
 
Half time: Moneyglass 0-8 Naomh Brid 2-4
 
There was little sign of the numerical advantage on the restart as Moneyglass with the elements quickly drew level. They continued to make the running as the visitors rode their luck at times. Moneyglass spurned several point chances and were made to pay as Ward lifted the siege from a breakaway instigated by Loughrey, quickly followed by points from Loughrey himself and the now restored Smyth. The battle raged on into the last 10 minutes as Moneyglass countered further points from O’Neill and Loughrey with three of their own to leave just two between the sides. But the Naomh Brid defence held firm and the home side and support’s frustration was complete when Sweeney’s late miscued attempt was deflected past the goalkeeper to put the match beyond doubt.
 
Full time: Moneyglass 0-14 Naomh Brid 3-9
 
Team: W McSorley, D MacAuley, K Gallagher, R Daly, C McLaughlin ( P Lundy (0-1)), D O’Hagan, J Loughrey (0-3), R Smyth (1-1), M Malone, F Sherry, M Sweeney (1-1), R McGrady, C McGrady (1-1), R O’Neill (0-1), M Ward (0-1)
 
Man of the match: J Loughrey