Homefit ACFL Division One
St Brigid’s 0-08-1-07 Lámh Dhearg
Kevin Herron reports from Musgrave Park
A wind assisted Stephen Tully goal proved the difference at Musgrave Park this afternoon as Lámh Dhearg made it back-to-back league wins with a 1-07-0-08 win over St Brigid’s.
The visitors went into the encounter looking to build on a last gasp winning goal against St Johns- which secured their first victory of the campaign, while the hosts were hoping to bounce back from a narrow reversal at Toome during the midweek fixtures.
It was Lámh Dhearg who were first off the mark when Michael Hynds combined with Ben Rice and he played the ball into Carl Maxwell in an advanced position, the corner-forward was quickly closed down as a goal was on- but he kept his composure and shot over the bar for a point.
St Brigid’s hit back when Jack Dowling had his run checked and James Smith converted the resulting free.
But there were a very nervy moments for the hosts in the aftermath as Paddy Cunningham let fly with an effort that clipped the post with Declan Herry scrambling, then in an attempt to clear his lines – James Morgan fisted the ball towards his own net and it spun out for a 45’ which was converted by Cormac Hannan.
Shaun McManus got his fist on the resulting kick-out and the ball broke to Declan Smith to find Ben Rice in space and the attacking wing-half back steered a near post shot over the bar to give his side a 0-03-0-01 lead.
The deficit was halved when Patrick Finnegan played a free backwards and took the return ball, Finnegan then powered his way into a shooting position, adjusted his run and landed a superb point.
Lámh Dhearg restored their two-point with Declan Smith helping a dipping Carl Maxwell effort over the bar with his fist.
And they extended their advantage when Paddy Mervyn spotted Michael Hynds in an advanced position and Hynds shot dropped over the crossbar.
James Smith doubled his account for the half with a converted free before the break, but his side trailed 0-05-0-03 at the interval.
Despite playing against the wind in the second period, it was Lámh Dhearg who conjured up the opening score through a confident Ben Rice point- his second of the afternoon.
It took a while before St Brigid’s hit back through a nice point from Conor McAleer and the corner-forward produced another outstanding curling shot after a slick build-up involving Peter King to make it a one-point game at 0-06-0-05.
With ten minutes remaining Shaun McManus took a lay-off from substitute Niall McGarry and landed a point to stretch his sides lead again.
A foul on McGarry a few minutes later would lead to the game’s insurance score, half-time substitute Stephen Tully stood over it and his high effort towards the near post dropped down and into the corner of the net to make it 1-07-0-05.
Patrick Finnegan kicked an impressive reply for his second score of the afternoon as the hosts began to turn the screw late-on.
Conor McAleer squeezed a free inside the near post to make it a three-point game and steered a further free over minutes after.
St Brigid’s pushed for a goal that might have secured victory but Lámh Dhearg defended deep and John Toner’s late effort floated wide of the post as the visitors held on for their second league win of the season.
St Brigid’s: D Heery, P King, C King, D Foster, J Morgan, J Toner, F Meenagh, M Cummings, J Dowling, N Lundy, J Smith (0-02f), P Finnegan (0-02), M Lynch, R Finnegan, C McAleer (0-04, 0-02f). Subs: S Campbell for D Foster (13), P Lundy for M Lynch (HT), P Bradley for R Finnegan (39), J Finnegan for J Dowling (55).
Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, F Mervyn, M McGarry, A McAufield, M Hynds (0-01), P Mervyn, B Rice (0-02), C Hannan (0-01 45’), S McManus (0-01), R Diamond, P Cunningham, D Smith (0-01), C Maxwell (0-01), D Larkin, R Murray . Subs: S Tully (1-00f) for P Cunningham (HT), T McCrudden for R Diamond (HT), N McGarry for D Larkin (45), P Larkin for A McAufield (52), C Nolan for R Murray (Blood Sub-55), E Campbell for C Maxwell (60).
Referee: Danny O’Neill (Gort na Mona)
