St Brigid’s didn’t have it all their own way

Antrim Junior B Hurling Championship

St Brigid’s 3-20 Anraí Seoighe 3-07

St Brigid’s made it two wins from two in Group 2 of the Antrim Junior B Hurling Championship when they beat Henry Joy’s by 3-20 to 3-7 in a highly entertaining game at Musgrave Park on Tuesday evening. The final scoreline was decisive but for much of the first half Henry Joy’s caused the home side a lot of problems, and their ability to get goals during that first period kept them very much in touch. Six points separated the sides at half time but during the second half St Brigid’s got the upper hand and dominated possession to pull away and win by 13 points.

***PJ McMeenan gave a great display for Henry Joy’s***

St Brigid’s full forward John McGuckian gave his team an early lead with a well taken point and they could have had more scores, but in their first attack Henry Joy’s showed just how dangerous they could be and after a rasping shot from corner forward PJ Meenan was parried by the St Brigid’s goalkeeper, Stephen McIlhatton crashed the rebound home. Two more from John B McGuckian for the home side were answered by one from Henry Joy’s right half forwards Sean McIhatton, and when the same player sent a shot all the way to the net from distance his team were four clear.

To their credit St Brigid’s settled into the game and with McGuckian in dominant form at full forward they hit the next six points without reply. They appeared to have weathered the visitors’ storm as they edged ahead but Henry Joy’s were not finished and the brilliant PJ Meenan got his team’s third goal when he drilled the ball home from the right corner.

***Oisin McDonnell sends over a St Brigid’s free***

Although dominating possession St Brigid’s were still under pressure and it wasn’t until McGuckian got his team’s first goal of the game with a great finish that they settled down properly and pushed on to lead by six at half time. 1-14 to 3-2.

With a raft of changes at the break St Brigid’s continued to hold the upper hand and after points from Fintan Cleary (2) and Joseph McCarney a goal from centre back Cathal Carney put them in control.

However with PJ Meenan now operating around midfield for Henry Joy’s they were still creating plenty of chances and it wasn’t until Niall Duffy got the home team’s third goal that they could really relax.

ST BRIGID’S

1. Chris Lundy

2. Conor Leonard

3. Eoghan O’Mannion

4. Declan Lawn

5. Brian McGurk 0-1

6. Cathal Conway 1-0

7. Niall Finegan 0-1

8. Niall Murtagh

9. Fintan Cleary 0-6 (0-2f, 0-1 65’)

10. Fearghal Leyden 0-3

11. Rory Flanagan 0-2