O’Neill Sportswear Antrim Football League – Division 1
St Brigid’s 2-10 St John’s 1-12
St Brigid’s won the inaugural Seamus O’Hare Memorial Cup when they beat St John’s in Sunday’s Division 1 Leauge game at Musgrave Park. The former club and county legend was a Johnnies man through his long career in the GAA, while his daughter Geraldine married a St Brigid’s man whose sons ply their trade with the Musgrave Park side. The idea to put up a trophy is Seamus’s memory came from his lifelong friend Dr Alasdair McDonnell, former Antrim hurling team doctor, who always regarded Seamus as a father figure.
Sunday’s match turned out to be a really exciting game with St Brigid’s, with the assistance of the strong breeze, pull away in the first half to open up a seven point lead at the interval. After the turnaround however St John’s had the better of things and worked their way back into the game thanks to a Darragh McGuinness goal. They put themselves into a strong position and look set to get their hands on the coveted new silverware but St Brigid’s grabbed a late goal to clinch the victory and become the first holders of the Seamus O’Hare Cup.
The Musgrave Park men made a quick start with a point from Paul Bradley and a gaol from Eoghan Sherry but two quick scores from the Johnnies Conor McEvoy cut the gap back to two. St Brigid’s pushed on however and points from Dara Quinn, Ben Doherty, Aaron Bradley and Sonny Doyle (with a two pointer) helped the home to a 1-07 to a 0-03 lead by half time.
The Johnnies were a transformed side in the second half and after Tierney sent over a point centre forward Darragh McGuinness got them right back into the game with well taken goal. Shea Downey replied for the home side but Seamus Mac Liam came back with two more for the Johnnies.
When Stiofan O’Tarnaig hit a 2 pointer for the Corrigan Park men the gap was down to just one, but two by Conan McNicholl gave the home team a bit of breathing space and a minute from time they grabbed their second goal to seal the victory.
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