Naomh Brid claimed two precious end league points at Musgrave on Wednesday evening as they withstood the late threat of Cargin in a frenetic and pulsating finale. The one point margin gave the southsiders only their second senior victory over the Erin’s Own club, bridging a four year gap stretching back to May 2008. While Cargin were missing notably the services of the McCann brothers, they nonetheless fielded a strong side which arguably appeared well enough equipped to account for their hosts whose form and personnel turnouts to date had been patchy to say the least.
The home defence marshalled well by Daly at centre back was solid and tight marking ensured that Cargin’s forwards were fairly well curtailed with scores hard fought. Recent returnee McAuley impressed at corner back, showing no signs of a lengthy absence. Naomh Brid had the better of the early stages and responded to a Cargin opener with scores from Ward, Loughrey and McGrady. On 17 minutes with the sides level after Cargin responses, the decisive score of the match came from Ward with an excellent side foot finish to the corner of the net from Loughrey’s threaded hand pass. Cargin kept their scoreboard ticking over with three more points before the interval but McGrady and O’Hagn with a replica of his winning Saffrons’ score against Galway gave the southsiders a narrow advantage at the break.
HT: Naomh Brid 1-5 Cargin 0-6
Naomh Brid make a bright start to the second half with fine scores from McGrady and Edwards to quickly double their lead. The chances kept coming but more were being wasted than converted, allowing Cargin to stay in touch with scores from limited possession. When another attack broke down as Loughrey’s shot fell short into the keeper’s hands, Dowling’s instinct was to stop the distinct threat of a goal opportunity as Cargin broke with menace. However, his foul drew a second yellow card which left Blaney’s now 14 men defending a slender two point lead with a full 15 minutes remaining. Edwards was sacrificed from the attack to fill the vacancy at midfield as Cargin set about pressing home their numerical advantage. The deficit was reduced to one and then Cargin were handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a soft penalty when their attacker seemed to have been effectively crowded out. McSorley’s goal line antics may just have won the mind game as the shot rebounded off the post and the ball was safely cleared.
Despite having drawn level with a further score, the penalty miss would prove costly as, with the match entering its last five minutes, McGrady won and converted his own free to restore the lead followed by a well taken point by Edwards. Deep in jury time there would be a final twist when Cargin, who continued to pour forward in numbers, thought they had been given another lifeline when the referee seemed to signal a second penalty in a packed area. But when the dust eventually, and after McGrady’s dismissal to reduce the home complement to 13, there was mighty relief when the referee confirmed the award as a 13 metre free. There was no way past the massed goal line and the point was taken. Now deep into injury time, possession was vital and sub Ben Leonard held firm to deny Cargin a final launching pad and the points were deservedly secured.
FT: Naomh Brid 1-10 Cargin 0-12
Team: W McSorley, D McAuley, M Donnelly (M Malone), K Gallagher, T McCrudden, R Daly, J Loughrey (0-1), J Dowling, M Sweeney, R McGrady (0-4), D O’Hagan (0-1), B McMahon, R Mackle, D Edwards (0-3), M Ward (1-1)
MoM: J Loughrey
