Antrim Football League – Division 1
Casements 0 – 08 v 1 – 11 St Brigids
St Brigids travelled to the home of last years league champions Portglenone on a mission to secure two more points and consolidate their place in the play off of this seasons division one league.
Both sides were missing a few regulars, although St Brigids welcomed Patrick Finnegan back into the side after a year out from injury, and Finnegan would join his twin brother Joseph to lead St Brigids from the front throughout this contest.
The hosts welcomed back two of their own proven performers in Niall McKeever and Ryan Convery also joined the action after twelve months off, like Finnegan, battling back from a cruciate ligament injury. Another returnee to Casement club colours was Dermot McAleese after a memorable year serving as county captain, along with county panellist Daniel McNicholl and with Niall Delargy also back in action, the hosts were expecting a competitive contest.
The first half was evenly matched and the sides went in level at half time at five points each with the impressive throughout James Smyth leading from the front with a trio of long range points from play for the visitors.
Another feature was the match up between Joseph Finnegan and the highly regarded Aidan McAleese, a dual that was evenly managed until Mc Aleese retired from the fray later in the game. Peter Kings lung bursting runs from defence were also a feature, creating scoring chances for Patrick Finnegan and Jack Dowling.
The second half opened with renewed urgency and a well worked move involving Reuben Campbell and Michael Cummings finished with Rory McErlean blasting high past Portglenone custodian Kevin Mullan to score the games only goal, but one which swung the outcome firmly in the balance of the visitors.
The third quarter saw St Brigid’s hunger for top four recognition drive them on, and they would score five out of the next six points in the next twelve minutes. Dowling Patrick Finnegan and McErlean added to their tally with Shay Campbell and Enda Downey getting on the scoreboard.
Enda Lynn also made a comeback after a month’s absence, his telling runs instantly causing problems for St Brigid’s, but their defence stood resolute and saw off any immediate danger. Conall Delargy did add two points, a forty five yard free and an excellent score from play, but these consolation scores were cancelled out as James Smyth and Enda Downey capped off good individual performances with another point apiece. Downey’s full length block just five minutes from the end to stop an almost certain goal from a very lively Enda Lynn being a particular highlight of this resolve.
On this performance St Brigid’s will enter the play off stages with confidence. They had many excellent performers on the night, but the fulcrum of the display was the diamond around midfield, where Michael Cummings and Jack Dowling were in control, but the power behind this performance came from the impressive Finnegan twins, Joseph at number six and Patrick at number 11. James Smyth, Reuben Campell and goalkeeper Peter Heery also caught the eye throughout.
With one final league game to go Casements will not be making top four, and although on a streak of recent defeats, John McKeever certainly won’t be panicking as he is starting to welcome back a host of his proven performers, and will no doubt be back in the hunt challenging for silverware before the season is out. Best for them on this occasion was Daniel Mc Nicholl, also catching the eye was Niall Delargy, Ruairi Hagan and until they went off after picking up minor knocks Caolan Tierney and Aidan Mc Aleese.
On tonight’s performance though, St Brigids will also definitely also be in that mix.
Scorers
Casements – Conall Delargy 0 – 02, Michael Hagan 0 – 02, Conor McGhee 0 – 01, Michaek Kelly 0 – 01, Daniel McNicholl 0 – 01, Aidan McAleese 0 – 01.
St Brigids – James Smyth 0 – 04, Rory Mc Erlean 1 – 01, Jack Dowling 0 – 02, Patrick Finnegan 0 – 02, Shay Campbell 0 – 01, Enda Downey 0 – 01.
For more pics from the game click on the link below
https://myalbum.com/album/fQ98S4mDSujsmm/?invite=a6dcd79e-2b3e-49e3-8e05-13cc0557cb08