O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One
St John’s 1-7 St Brigid’s 3-7
St. Brigid’s recorded their third win of the season when they travelled to Corrigan Park on Sunday and inflicted a third consecutive defeat over a struggling St. John’s.
First half goals from Conan McNicholl from the penalty spot in the 5th minute and another from Shay Campbell with 13 minutes gone gave the Musgrave Park side a 2-1 to 0-6 lead despite playing into the stiff breeze.
The visitors had goalkeeper Declan Heery to thank for their win however as he made a number of fine saves in the second half including one from a penalty as the South Belfast men held on for a good victory.
The Johnnies had a significant wind advantage in the first half and although they made the early running, it didn’t translate into scores.
Instead it was St. Brigid’s who edged the first half scoring with those goals vital in the end.
St. John’s recovered well as they began to eat into that lead with Ronan Quinn using the elements to his favour as he split the posts from range, while Conal McGlade landed a 45.
Momentum was with the Johnnies as Domhnall Nugent split the posts and although McNicholl converted a free at the other end, Adams responded in kind and Nugent curled over from a mark to narrow the gap to one at the break, 2-1 to 0-6.
Things appeared to have swung in favour of the Whiterock men at the start of the second half as four minutes in, Oisin Donnelly was fouled when he was about to shoot, resulting in a penalty award. However, Declan Heery in the St Brigid’s goal got down to save from Adams and the St. Brigid’s net minder would go on to play a vital part in his side’s victory.
The Musgrave men began to get on top as Jack Toner pointed and Conor McAleer added another from a free before Niall Duffy broke through for a score.
Adams replied for St. John’s midway through the half from a free that came after an advantage with a Michael Darragh effort well saved.
James Smith restored the visitor’s four-point advantage with an excellent point from out near the sideline before Heery denied Adams with another excellent save.
A goal did arrive but it was at the other end on 57 minutes as the lively Niall Duffy cut in from the left and had is effort saved by Eogan Rua Lambert but substitute Rory McErlean was on hand to finish the rebound.
Another of the St Brigid’s subs, Peter Lundy, kicked two late points before the Johnnies finally found the net in added time but it was mere consolation as their search for a first win goes on as St Brigid’s claimed another win to share top spot in the table after three rounds.
St. John’s: ER Lambert; M Darragh, O Donnelly, S Tierney; R Quinn (0-1), A Oliver, J Garland; L Boyd, R McNulty; C McEvoy, A McGowan, L Peden; C McGlade (0-1 45), C Adams (0-3f), D Nugent (0-2,1m).
Subs: R Hannigan for L Boyd (27), E McGurke for L Peden (53), J Robb for J Garland (60+1)
St. Brigid’s: D Heery; F McKernan, J Toner, J McCarney; S Campbell (1-0), P King, R Carleton; M Cummings, J Logue; N Duffy (0-1), J Smith (0-1), J Toner (0-1); C McAleer (0-1f), F Sherry, C McNicholl (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1f).
Subs: R McErlean (1-0) for F Sherry (46), P Lundy (0-2) for J Toner (56).
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tír na nÓg)
