O’Neill’s Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One
St Brigid’s 4-12 St Gall’s 2-9
St. Brigid’s kept themselves very much in contention for a place in the play-offs when they recorded a nine point win over visitors St. Gall’s at Musgrave Park on Wednesday night.
They certainly did not get it all their own way against a St. Gall’s side who were very much in contention as the game entered the final quarter but St. Brigid’s struck with two late goals to keep themselves in second place in the tables.
The home side trailed by three at the break as visitors St. Gall’s fought to earn their own place in the play-offs but a Peter Lundy goal on the restart brought the sides level.
Heading into Wednesday evening’s clash, just one point separated the sides in the standings with a place in the forthcoming semi-finals very much in the remit of both sides but this victory moves the Musgrave men three ahead in the ratings.
St. Brigid’s made the early running but their keeper, Declan Heery gave the ball away cheaply while pushing up in support of his attack and Brendan Bradley took advantage as he sent a long distance shot into an empty net.
Both sides were giving it everything but scores were proving hard to come by and it would take another 13 minutes before the scoreboard would tick on and it saw the lead change hands briefly as Reuben Carleton drilled over and McAleer curled over from the left.
St. Gall’s were finding it difficult to add to Bradley’s major but they came to life in the closing stages of the half as they added five points on the bounce through Daniel Quinn 0-2 and three from the impressive Barry McCaffery.
A lare McErlean point for the home side closed the gap to three at the break but St. Brigid’s were right back in contention on the restart as McAleer set up Peter Lundy to punch home.
Back came the Milltown Row side and they responded positively as McCafferty set up substitute Niall O’Neill who finished impressively to restore the visitors advantage.
Things were certainly livening up with the ball being moved around at pace as St. Brigid’s started to take control and Patrick Finnegan marked his return from a long term injury with a good point before Rory McErlean moved his side ahead.
Daniel Quinn replied for the visitors to tie the contest once more with 13 minutes remaining but a minute later St Brigid’s hit the front with their third goal as Downey fisted a teasing ball inside and McErlean rose to finish.
The momentum was now with Naomh Brigid and they added a fourth goal with six minutes remaining as Michael Cummings placed Shay Campbell to fire to the net.
McErlean and Niall Fallon traded late points with Ben Doherty having the final say as St Brigid’s moved to second place in the table and look certain to qualify for the knockout stages while putting a dent in St Gall’s hopes of a top-four finish.
St. Brigid’s: D Heery; F McKernan, C King, J McCarney; R Carleton (0-1), P King, S Campbell (1-0); M Cummings, J Dowling (0-1); J Toner, N Duffy, A McNicholl; P Lundy (1-0), C McAleer (1-3), R McErlean (1-4, 0-2f).
Subs: B Doherty (0-1) for A McNicholl (HT), E Downey (0-1f) for P Lundy (35), P Finnegan (0-1) for J Toner (39), B McGurk for J Dowling (55), S Doyle for P King (59).
St. Gall’s: C Kerr; M Donnelly, T Keenan, E McCurdy; C MacAdhaimh, C McGirr, C McCabe; C Ryan, M McCrossan; L Lynn, B Bradley (1-1), M Hopkins; N Fallon (0-1), B McCaffrey (0-3), D Quinn (0-3, 1f).
Subs: N O’Neill (1-1) for M Hopkins (HT), D MacLiam for M Donnelly (37), C Walsh for B McCaffrey (40), R Irvine for M McCrossan (47), E Walsh for B Bradley (52).
Referee: Conall Roberts (St John’s)