Red Hughs lift the mood with IFC win over Naomh Brid

Clouds of a different darkness hung over Crossroads on Sunday as Red Hughs belatedly began their IFC campaign with a win over Naomh Brid.

Red Hughs 1-9
Naomh Brid 1-4

The sudden death of Darren Lafferty, aged just 43, while on a trip to Newcastle with friends, ground the parish to a grieving halt a week ago. Last Sunday, he was laid to rest at St Patrick’s Church.

A week on and Red Hughs, with Darren’s brother-in-law Pauric starting and another, Michael, in the squad, were able to raise some smiles with a deserved win in an often boisterous encounter.

A 48th minute goal from Aaron McGlinchey and six points from the excellent Jack Gillespie carved out a useful win for Francie Martin’s team.

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They still have a Division 2 relegation play-off to come in the League, but will be lifted by this win as they look, primarily, to retain their berth in the IFC.

Darren Russell opened the scoring for Naomh Brid in the fourth minute, polishing off a good move that involved Liam Gallagher and Eoin McGarrigle. The Ballintra residents - who lost 1-10 to 0-9 at home to Naomh Columba last week - didn’t trouble the scoreboard operator again until Eoin Rushe tapped over a 28th minute free.

In between times, Red Hughs hit four-in-a-row with Gillespie setting the tone with a free after a foul on Damien Browne.

Luke Kelly, the Red Hughs goalkeeper, saved from a first-time Gearoid Gallagher effort after good approach work by Liam Gallagher and Rushe.

A sometimes feisty affair took a little while for the temperature to lift.

It was the 17th minute before Gillespie, having shrugged off a series of Naomh Brid arms, put his men 0-2 to 0-1 ahead. Browne duly added another.

A big score from distance by Odhran Gallagher put three between them and it was 0-5 to 0-2 at the break with Donegal defender Stephen McMenamin providing the assist for Gillespie after Rushe knocked over a free down the other end.

In the opening passages of the second half, Tim Callaghan tried his luck with Naomh Brid net-minder Pauric McDaid out of his goal. Callaghan’s floated effort was cleared away by the covering Richard Walsh.

Luke Kelly came up to convert a ’45 and it was 0-7 to 0-3 when Red Hughs - who have yet to welcome Calvin Bradley back from the United States - hit the game’s big score, 12 minutes from the end.

Callaghan did the heavy lifting with a lethal incision into Naomh Brid territory. His pass was turned home by McGlinchey.

In the closing moments, Gearoid Gallagher tucked home a penalty for the visitors, but it was too late to have a bearing with a superb score from Gillespie having just opened an eight-point gap.

Scorers for Red Hughs: Jack Gillespie 0-6, 2f; Aaron McGlinchey 1-0; Luke Kelly 0-1, 1 ’45; Damien Browne, Odhran Doherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Naomh Brid: Gearoid Gallagher 1-0, 1pen; Eoin Rushe 0-2, 2f; Darren Russell 0-1; Callum Gallagher 0-1, 1m.

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly; Shane Gallagher, Thomas McMenamin, James Gallagher; Peadar McGlinchey, Stephen McMenamin, Aaron McGlinchey; Darragh McMenamin, James Doherty; Pauric McMenamin, Odhran Doherty, Ryan Kelly; Jack Gillespie, Damien Browne, Tim Callaghan. Subs: Tiernan Kelly and Denim Rowan for R.Kelly and O.Doherty (43), Jason Callaghan for P.McMenamin (52), Shane McGlinchey for P.McGlinchey (60).

Naomh Brid: Pauric McDaid; TJ Gallagher, Clint Walsh, Richard Walsh; Gary McCafferty, Eoin McGarrigle, Eoin Quinn; Callum Gallagher, Sean Gormley; Darren Russell, Gearoid Gallagher, Eoin Rushe; Shane Timoney, Damien Cleary, Liam Gallagher. Subs: Declan McCafferty and Tommy Gallagher for G.McCafferty and Cleary (h-t), Shane Walsh for Timoney (43), Cleary for L.Gallagher (51).

Referee: Dermot McColgan (Naomh Padraig, Muff).