ACHL Division 4
Ardoyne 0-23 St. Brigid’s 1-20
This highly anticipated top of the table clash at Fennell Park between Naomh Bríd and Ciceam Ard Eoin was an entertaining encounter, without ever really igniting for the gathered crowd. Twenty nine scores coming from frees in what was never an over physical encounter tells a tale.
The game got off to a good start with the home side firing ahead with a point from Matt McKillen. James Kelly soon replied for Naomh Bríd with his first of ten points from frees in the opening half. While Kelly will be pleased with his contribution, Naomh Bríd will reflect that not a single point of their scores came from opening play.
Ciceam Ard Eoin scored four points from open play in the first half but the continual stoppages in play prevented either side getting anything resembling a rhythm into their play. Patrick McGreevey for Ciceam Ard Eoin also had his signs lined up, managing to pick up seven scores from frees along with two from open play.
The opening half came to an close with only two points between the two sides and the crowd looked forward to a more free flowing second half.
Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-11 Naomh Bríd 1-10
Kelly opened up the second half scoring for Naomh Bríd with another point from a free before Cormac Barnes struck the sliothar over the bar following a clever free from McGreevy. Oisin McDonnell came more into the game for Naomh as the second half progressed and picked up three points from play.
McGreevy was the target man for Ciceam Ard Eoin with Paddy Heaney increasingly making his presence felt, but they were frustrated by the free count that continued to mount in the second half.
The sides were never far apart and Ciceam Ard Eoin drew the gap even tighter as the game entered its final quarter. They sensed the win that would bring them level with Naomh Bríd but were let down by a lack of discipline that saw their numbers reduced and were unable to overcome the disadvantage of a player short.
The excitement increased in the final 10 minutes as it was clear that this was anyone’s game. The sides were nip and tuck and while Ciceam Ard Eoin drew level they were unable to press ahead. Both sides had opportunities to win this match, but neither will be too disappointed as a draw was a fair result on the day.
Full-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-23 Naomh Bríd 1-20
Ciceam Ard Eoin: Conor O’Neill, Sean Searle, Caolan Wallace, Eamonn Mac Lochlainn, Dan Moore, Martin McLaughlin, Christopher McShane, Piarais Hull, Paul McGuigan, Aran Stewart (0-01), Paddy Heaney (0-04), Matt McKillen (0-01), Enda Slattery, Fionntain Lagan, Padraig McGreevy (0-13, 11f), Cormac Barnes (0-03), Kealan McCallan, Fiachra McVicker, JP Agnew, Cahal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Micheál McGreevey (0-01)
Naomh Bríd: Michael Burke, Peadar Middleton, Garrett Gilleece, Jack Massingham. Jack Pardy, Conor McElhatton, Peter Heaney, Niall Murtagh, James Kelly (0-16, 13f) Donncha McGurk, David Prenter (0-01), Cuan Polley, Oisin McDonnell (1-03), Brian McGurk, Owen McCarney, Matthew Madden, Finlay Blockley, Oliver Liggett, Dara Sidebottom, John McGuckian, Chris Lundy, Pearse
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