An overpowering second-half performance saw a very talented St Brigid’s side overcome Towers in this Division 2B clash at the Community Centre on Sunday morning, writes Mick McGlynn. View match pictures here.
The visitors, managed by ex Dublin footballer Keith Barr, showed their strength and pace to devastating effect when they raced into a 1-3 to no score lead after eight minutes. The goal was scored within the opening two minutes and was courtesy of a penalty as the pace with which the visitors attacked caused considerable problems for the home side. It was a Thomas Galvin free from the right on ten minutes that opened the scoring for Towers. He was on the mark again five minutes later with another long-range point from the right. From a sideline Galvin picked out Adam Doyle and his excellent pass found Stephen Bracken in space and he was pulled back and Galvin pointed the subsequent free. Galvin pointed another free before midfielder Craig Shaaban and Bracked combined to create an opportunity for Galvin to strike a point attempt from distance. The Brigid’s keeper misjudged and it found the net. Having been six behind Towers now trailed by just two. Towers were now attacking at pace and causing problems in particular from the wings and a Galvin close-range free narrowed the deficit further. Chris Brazil did brilliantly to collect a low ball in slippery conditions and turned sharp to kick a point from 30 metres. An excellent move that started with Eoghan Heffernan in goal starting an attack led to Adam Doyle cutting inside his marker and feeding Bracken who finished low to the corner of the net. Towers tempo was picked up across the pitch and Aaron Whelan made a full-length block to deny a Brigid’s goal. Before the half ended Whelan found centre-half-forward Kevin McGibney whose kick from range crept over. Towers went in with a slender 2-7 v 1-9 lead.
Unfortunately they could not keep up the momentum in the second half. They got off to a flying start when Galvin intercepted a Brigid’s clearance and found Doyle in space and he was hauled to the ground as striking for goal. Galvin converted the penalty low to the keepers left but it was Towers solitary second-half score barring a late free. Brigid’s forwards kicked some excellent long range scores and their strength proved troublesome for Towers defenders. The home side struggled to create opportunities and the visitors kicked on in the final quarter to run our 3-8 v 1-17 winners. Added momentum would surely have been added to Towers had they not been missing important players in the defence, midfield and forwards. The result leaves Towers fifth in an eight team league with two wins from five fixtures.
Round Tower: Eoghan Heffernan, Kevin Ryan, Thomas Ankers, Declan Martin, Aaron Whelan, Aaron Soady, Adam Clarke, Jordan Walsh, Craig Shaaban, Thomas Galvin, Kevin McGibney, Conor Ó Sé, Stephen Bracken, Chris Brazil, Adam Doyle: Used subs: Darren Gilligan
