St Brides’ Second-Half Surge Sends Them Into Intermediate Semi-Final
CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship
Quarter-Final | At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver
St Brides 2-14 St Kevins 0-12
St Brides booked their place in the semi-final of the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship with a comfortable eight-point victory over St Kevins at Darver on Sunday afternoon.
Having impressed during the group stages, St Brides took some time to find their rhythm, but gradually grew into the contest before taking control after the break. Kieran McArdle and Paddy Reilly were particularly influential, while the Brides will be hoping to have centre-half Bernard Laverty available for their next outing.
Finn Carter (St Kevins) takes on Ruairi Carpenter (St Brides)
St Kevins, meanwhile, fielded a more inexperienced side than was seen in the group, with the absence of key players Shane Meade and TJ Doheny proving a significant blow. Seanie Crosbie and Darren McMullan provided good leadership in a testing game for the Philipstown side.
The opening stages were evenly contested, with Kieran McArdle’s long-range effort dropping short and bouncing over the bar after St Kevins goalkeeper Danny Crosbie opted not to catch it, resulting in a two-point score.
Lee Crosbie opened the scoring for St Kevins before adding a free, with Reilly and McArdle responding for St Brides. Darren McMullan then edged Kevins back in front before Donal McArdle and Sean Marry scores gave Brides a 0-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.
Half Time – St Brides 0-6 St Kevins 0-4
St Kevins opened the second half with a score from Evan Maher, but St Brides quickly began to turn the screw. Donal McArdle and Seanie Crosbie exchanged scores before Kieran McArdle landed a superb two-point free from the deck.
Senan Hoey and McArdle added further scores as St Brides moved seven points clear at 0-11 to 0-6 after 40 minutes.
The game began to open up, and St Brides struck for their first goal when Senan Hoey finished off a slick counter-attacking move that began deep inside their own half. A trademark of what the Knockbridge men done so often to both Geraldines and Clan na Gael.
Senan Hoey (St Brides) celebrates after scoring his sides opening goal
McMullan and Finn Carter responded for St Kevins, but Brides remained firmly in control.
Kieran McArdle added another point before St Kevins showed some late resistance through two Seanie Crosbie two-pointers, both from quite difficult angles. Sean Marry and substitute Kevin Hearty kept the scoreboard moving for Brides, before Donal McArdle put the result beyond doubt.
With Danny Crosbie caught off his line from a Brides kickout, Donal McArdle calmly finished into an empty net to complete an impressive second-half performance from St Brides.
Full Time – St Brides 2-14 St Kevins 0-12
Man of the Match – Kieran McArdle (St Brides)
The county man had a heavily influential game for St Brides, he hit 0-7 and caused endless issues for St Kevins with his storming runs.
Man of the Match Kieran McArdle (St Brides) goes beyond Cameron Maher (St Kevins)
St Brides team: Aaron Devin; Stephen Hoey, Cillian Kirk, Robert McCaughey; Ross Murnaghan, Andrew Smyth, Ruairi Carpenter; Paddy Reilly (0-1), James Costelloe; Donal McArdle (1-2), Kieran McArdle (0-7, 1tp, 1tpf), Neil Thornton; Morgan Tobin, Sean Marry (0-2), Senan Hoey (1-1).
Subs: Kevin Hearty (0-1) for Ruairi Carpenter 50 mins, Michael Keane for Morgan Tobin 56 mins, Kevin Slowey for Andrew Smyth 62 mins.
St Kevins team: Danny Crosbie; Dylan Maher, Brian Callaghan, Keelan Maher; Darren McMullan (0-2), Seanie Crosbie (0-5, 2tp), Cameron Maher; Evan Maher (0-1), Finn Carter (0-1); Lee Crosbie (0-2, 1f), Cian Callan (0-1), Conal Mannion; Jacob Finlay, Tom Mathews, Robbie Mathews.
Subs: John Callaghan for Jacob Finlay 48 mins, Niall Gregory for Robbie Mathews 50 mins.
Referee – David Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers)
Photos – Ciaran Culligan
Kieran McArdle (St Brides) beats the efforts of Cameron Maher (St Kevins)
