Brian Hamill reports from Glenavy
SFC Group 4
St. Brigid’s 1-25 Aghagallon 3-9
St Brigid’s delivered a commanding performance to defeat Aghagallon by 1-25 to 3-09 in a thrilling Northern Switchgear Co Antrim Senior Football Championship clash. Despite two late goals from Aghagallon, the Belfast side’s dominance, especially in the first half, proved decisive.
St Brigids Take Control Early
Wind advantage in the first half helped St Brigid’s surge ahead, led primarily by Paul Bradley, who contributed a goal and multiple points from frees and from play, James Smith, Patrick Finnegan, Shay Campbell and JJ Higgins also got their names on the scoreboard for St Brigid’s as their midfield pairing of Patrick Finnegan and Jack Dowling dictated the pace.
Aghagallon’s Adam Loughran was able to dispatch a penalty and a point from play in the first half, but it was a dejected side that headed for the changing rooms with a 16-point deficit to overcome.
Aghagallon’s Late Rally
Aghagallon were able to gain momentum as the second half progressed, with Marc McAfee, Eunan Walsh, and Jonny Hannon chipping away at the deficit with points.
Reuben Careleton converted a long range free kick for St Brigid’s along with more points from Paul Bradley and James Smith. Aghagallon scored two late goals from Ruairi McCann and Conor Magill gave the scoreline a more respectable look.
St Brigids’ blend of structure, scoring depth, and leadership has them looking like serious contenders in this year’s championship. Aghagallon, despite flashes of brilliance, will need to regroup ahead of their next outing.
Aghagallon: 1. Thomas Mallon 2. Ciaran Maginnis 3. Stevie Devlin
4. Kieran Hamill 23. Pat Branagan 6. Jamie Lamont 7. Poddy Gowdy
8. Jack Lenehan 9. Eunan Walsh (0-4) 10. Enda McCartan
11. Adam Loughran (1-1) 12. Jonny Hannon (0-2)
17. Marc McAfee (0-2) 14. Ruairi McCann (1-0) 15. Michael McStravick
Substitutes: 21. Pauric Maginnis 5. Conor Magill (1-0)
St Brigids: 1. Declan Heery 2. John Kinney 3 Connor King
4 John Morgan (0-1). 5 Shay Campbell (0-2). 6 Shea Downey
7 Reuben Carleton (0-2) 8 Patrick Finnegan (0-1) 9 Jack Dowling,
10 Ronan Boyle, 11 James Smith (0-5), 12 Paul Bradley (1-10),
13 JJ Higgins (0-1). 14 Joseph Finnegan. 15 Niall Duffy.
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