Last gasp home win for Naomh Brid against Urris in horrible conditions

An injury time free from Eoin Rush gave Naomh Brid the points in a close run thing in this Division 3 encounter in the wind and rain at Trummon on Saturday evening.

The result was in doubt right to the end with Urris probably wondering how they had to make the journey home empty handed as they had the chance to win the game with the final kick, Lorcan McGonigle first timing wide from a good position after a high ball broke to him.

As both sides lost their opening round games last weekend, this was a big win for Naomh Brid on their home patch.

Naomh Brid dominated for much of the first half and led by 0-9 to 0-3 in the 24th minute only for Urris to finish strongly and leave three between them at the break, 0-9 to 0-6.

Eoin Rush had the opening point and for much of this game was one of the outstanding players. Urris hit back with points from Luke Devlin and Conor Bradley. The sides were level at 0-3 each with Callum McCafferty and Aaron McGrory (free after breach) for the home side and Oisin Devlin for Urris.

Naomh Brid then took command with six unanswered points from Callum Gallagher (free), Aaron McGrory, Jack O’Hara, Oisin Brogan, McGrory (free after another breach) and Jack O’Hara again.

In the final few minutes of the half Joe Doherty landed a two point free and another free that was moved on for dissent.

Naomh Brid in a huddle before game

The Inishowen side then had a great start to the second half with a Joe Doherty goal in the opening minute. Patrick Doherty and Oisin Devlin pushed Urris two clear for the first time and even though Aaron McGrory halved the lead, further points from Luke and Joe Doherty had Urris in a comfortable three point lead by the 39th minute.

The wind and rain seemed to be with Urris but Eoin Rush pointed a free and then hit a two pointer to level matters on 46 minutes.

Naomh Brid should have had a goal a minute later when Aaron McGrory started a great move which saw Gearoid Gallagher clear but his toe poked effort went well wide.

The home side moved ahead through another Aaron McGrory point after a breach and they hit the decisive score on 49 minutes with McGrory finishing to the net after great work by Liam Duffy, who latched onto a break and the ball was worked through hands to McGrory for a four point lead.

However, Urris weren’t finished and they almost had a goal when Alan Friel got clear but was denied at point blank range by Stephen Doherty. Joe Doherty hit a two point free and Oisin Hession cut the lead to the minimum before Conor Bradley hit a two pointer to put the visitors back in front with six minutes of normal time left.

Billy Harron did well to level matters for Naomh Brid as the rain turned into a downpour. It looked like it would end level but then Eoin Rush stepped up to fire over the winner with just over a minute of added time played.

Naomh Brid scorers: Aaron McGrory 1-5,3f; Eoin Rush 0-5,3f,1tp; Jack O’Hara 0-2; Callum Gallagher (f), Oisin Brogan, Callum McCafferty, Billy Harron 0-1 each.

Urris scorers: 1-6,2tpf,1f; Conor Bradley 0-3,1tp; Oisin Devlin 0-2; Patrick Doherty, Luke Doherty, Luke Devlin, Oisin Hession 0-1 each.

Naomh Brid: Stephen Doherty; Patrick Gormley, Eoin McGarrigle, Craig Harron; Liam Duffy, Callum Gallagher, Oisin Brogan; Gearoid Gallagher, Donal Gallagher; Gary McCafferty, Eoin Rush, Callum McCafferty; Billy Harron, Jack O’Hara, Aaron McGrory. 

Sub: TJ Gallagher for D Gallagher (59).

Urris: Sam Coyle; Brendan Doherty, Kieran Doherty, Aaron Morris; Michael Grant, Matthew Brennan, Conor Bradley; Oisin Devlin, Gavin McDaid; Patrick Doherty, Joe Doherty, Luke Doherty; Lorcan McGonigle, Luke Devlin, Oisin Hession.

Subs: Alan Friel for Grant; John McCarron for G McDaid.

Referee: Greg McGroary (Four Masters)

Urris pictured before game