Three second half goals help St Brigid's overcome Clonkill

St Brigid's 3-12, Clonkill 0-13

In an encounter that perhaps highlighted tactical discipline over sheer drama, St Brigid’s secured a decisive eight-point victory against Clonkill in their Intermediate Championship clash at Delvin on Friday evening.

Despite the lack of high-octane action, the match offered a compelling narrative of strategic adjustments and key moments, culminating in a well-deserved win for the Dalystown outfit. While they trailed by three points at half-time, St Brigid’s were strong enough to turn this game around in the second half.

From the outset, St Brigid’s faced a stern challenge as Clonkill, buoyed by a brisk breeze, capitalised early. Senan O'Driscoll’s opening point within the first minute set the tone for Clonkill, who demonstrated early dominance. The visitors controlled the tempo with precision, registering a series of well-executed points.

However, the momentum shifted when St Brigid’s were awarded a penalty in the second minute after Conor Slevin was fouled. A seemingly routine opportunity for the Dalystown side was thwarted by a save from Clonkill goalkeeper Cillian Plunkett, whose intervention prevented an early setback as he turned Paddy Carroll’s tame shot out for a ‘65’.

St Brigid’s eventually got off the mark with a point from Aonghus Cody, who finished confidently after a well-worked move involving Evan Connell, Paul Carey, and David Hanlon. Despite Clonkill’s early advantage, which included points from Michael Heffernan and Enda Morrison, St Brigid’s remained resilient. Morrison’s deft turn and accurate strike exemplified the fine margins of the game, as the sides traded scores in a relatively subdued first half.

Clonkill’s slender 0-8 to 0-5 lead at the break reflected their slight edge, aided by the breeze. However, as the second half commenced, St Brigid’s emerged with renewed purpose, now playing with the elements in their favour. Finbar Coyne’s precision point, clipping the inside of the post, was a sign of things to come. The match saw a shift in dynamics as David Hanlon quickly added another point, and Joe Hyland’s inspirational effort drew the sides level for the first time since the early minutes.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 40th minute when St Brigid’s forward Conor Slevin capitalised on a strong run from Coyne to score the game’s first goal, propelling his side into the lead. Despite Clonkill’s brief resurgence, where Christopher Austin’s two points temporarily restored parity, St Brigid’s steadily asserted their superiority. Hanlon’s accurate '65' and Slevin’s deft play were crucial in maintaining their advantage.

The match, while competitive, lacked the explosive intensity often seen in high-stakes championship clashes. St Brigid’s, showing greater composure, continued to apply pressure. Hanlon’s second goal, a result of a well-orchestrated move involving Slevin and Hyland, further solidified their control. Clonkill’s attempts to respond were hampered by St Brigid’s defensive solidity and efficient scoring. In the final stages, St Brigid’s continued to pile on the pressure, with substitute Michael Geraghty and Niall Cully adding to their tally. Cully’s long-range effort from over 65 metres was a standout moment, highlighting the side’s ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Coyne’s goal in added time capped off a comprehensive performance, securing a deserved win for St Brigid’s, for whom Conall Dunne had just produced a fine tackle.

While St Brigid’s will take satisfaction in their victory and the tactical adjustments made, the overall quality of play was moderate. Clonkill’s second-string side showed commendable spirit, particularly in the first half. However, St Brigid’s proved too robust as the game progressed, eventually securing a comfortable win.

Scorers - St Brigid’s: David Hanlon 1-4 (0-2f; 0-1 ‘65’), Conor Slevin 1-3, Finbar Coyne 1-1, Joe Hyland, Niall Cully, Aonghus Cody, and Michael Geraghty 0-1 each.

Clonkill: E Scally 0-4 (4f), N Dowdall and C Austin 0-2 each, M Heffernan, D Lennon, E Morrison, S O’Driscoll, and A Smyth 0-1 each.

St Brigid’s: Paddy Carroll; Conall Dunne, Seamus Faulkner, Kieran Geraghty; Evan Connell, Stephen Quinn, Niall Cully; Joe Hyland, Seán Deegan; Chris Daly, Paul Carey, Aonghus Cody; Conor Slevin, David Hanlon, Finbar Coyne. Sub: Michael Geraghty for Cody (55).

Clonkill: Cillian Plunkett; Scott Murtagh, Michael McGrath, Adam Brady; Ciaran Egerton, Mark Keegan, Riley Sheahan; Evan Scally, Senan O'Driscoll; Danny Lennon, Christopher Austin, Michael Heffernan; Enda Morrison, Philip Dowdall, Alex Smyth. Subs: Philip Dowdall for Smyth (45), Paul Mulligan for Heffernan (inj., 60).

Referee: Derek Heffernan (Raharney).