There was to be no fairytale end to St Brigids senior championship bid as they were unceremoniously swept aside by the 2010 All Ireland club winners St Galls at Casement on Saturday night. And judging from their ruthless form the Milltown club could not be discounted from making another St Patrick’s Day appearance in Croke Park next year.
Coming into the semi final match as rank outsiders St Brigids needed to make an early impression, but they seemed caught in the traps right from the off as St Galls blitzed them mercilessly with a flurry of early scores, Michael Pollock in particular a thorn at full forward. St Galls had registered six impressive points in the opening 10 minutes forcing manager MacSherry into making early defensive changes to stem the alarming attrition rate. St Brigids forays over the half way line were few and far between and their cause was not helped by dropping a couple of shots in to the keeper’s hands from which St Galls launched punishing counter attacks. Cunningham had two converted frees from after fouls on Ward and O’Hagan and a point from play on the half hour mark, which was the sum total of St Brigids meagre contribution by the interval. Meanwhile St Galls, who had secured an iron grip at midfield with McGourtey dictating affairs, had added another six points, and their emphatic scoreboard lead was only prevented from reaching embarrassing levels by the excellent McSorley who stopped three certain goals from point blank range.
Half time: Naomh Gall 0-12 Naomh Brid 0-3
In fairness St Brigids rallied well in the second half and were rewarded when Sweeney was upended in the box to win a stonewall penalty on 38 minutes. Ward’s initial kick was saved but the referee correctly adjudged that the keeper had moved from his goal line and ordered a re-take. The second spot kick was despatched perfectly, to give the large St Brigids following their only real cheer of the night. But St Galls control was never in doubt and their style and fluidity was uninterrupted despite making a succession of changes from a formidable bench that included CJ McGourtey and Darren O’Hare. Though the result was long since a formality, a gallant St Brigids side played their hearts out right to the final whistle, with Ward, Sherry and Cunningham adding to the tally, and will hopefully benefit from the experience.
Next Wednesday evening it is back to league action with the visit of Cargin to Musgrave as St Brigids have something to prove after their earlier capitulation to the Erin’s Own outfit at the ‘bridge.
Full time: Naomh Gall 0-19 Naomh Brid 1-6
Team: W McSorley, C Mackle (K Gallagher), A Christie, D O’Hagan, Ben Sinnot (C McLaughlin), B McMahon, R Daly, B Leonard (F Sherry (0-1)), R Smyth (J McGuckian), M Sweeney, J Loughrey, R O’Neill, D Edwards, N Cunningham (0-4) (C McGrady), M Ward (1-1)
