ACFL Division 1
St Brigid’s 1-22 St Mary’s, Aghagallon 2-10
Report and photos by Brian Hamill
St Mary’s, Aghagallon made an encouraging start in Belfast but were eventually overwhelmed by St Brigid’s attacking quality as the home side finished strongly to claim the Division 1 points.
Aghagallon settled quickly and stunned the hosts with an early goal from Adam Loughran before Luke Mulholland (goalkeeper) followed up with a pair of two-point frees to give the visitors real momentum. St Brigid’s initially struggled to contain Aghagallon’s direct running and found themselves chasing the game in the opening quarter.
Gradually, however, the home side began to assert control. Paul Bradley, (half-forward) became increasingly influential, knocking over a series of scores, while James Smith (full-forward) added a two-point effort and a succession of points as St Brigid’s turned the deficit into a lead. Scores from half-backs; Brian McGurk and Reuben Carlton and forward JJ Higgins ensured the hosts took command approaching the interval.
Aghagallon remained in touch for periods after the restart, but St Brigid’s continued to find scores from all angles. The hosts’ spread of attacking threats proved difficult to contain, with their leading scorers continuing to stretch the advantage.
Any hopes of a comeback were effectively ended midway through the second half when St Brigid’s midfielder Patrick Finnegan found the net from close range. Aghagallon responded almost immediately through a well-taken goal from their left corner-back Cormac Mulholland and a point from substitute Ben Dervan, but the damage had already been done.
With nine different players on the score board, St Brigid’s maintained their scoring rate to the finish. Despite the 2 goals, along with the accuracy from placed balls, Aghagallon were unable to cope with the home side’s attacking power as St Brigid’s ran out deserved winners, with a nine point advantage.
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