Football

St Brigid's beat Dunloy to claim Antrim IFC title

LOCC Solitcitors Antrim Intermediate Football Championship final

St Brigid’s 1-13

Dunloy 0-8

From Tomas McGurk at Ahoghill

ST Brigid’s claimed their first Antrim Intermediate Football Championship since 2006 with a convincing eight-point win over Dunloy at Ahoghill on Saturday afternoon.

The Cuchullains, who also lost the previous two finals, made the brighter start with Conor McKinley and Keelan Molloy leading the charge.

McKinley forced a great save from Stephen Morrisey in the opening stages and St Brigid’s were reliant on former Antrim panelist Ronan McGrady keeping them in touch from frees while Peter Webb also chipped in with a fine point from open play for the South Belfast side.

McGrady felt he should have a penalty when he appeared to be pushed as he lined up a shot on goal late in the first half.

Dunloy, though, hit back-to-back points from Molloy and Conal Cunning to move three clear in the final minute of the half.

Crucially, St Brigid’s responded with two points from Webb and McGrady (free) in injury-time to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

The introduction of Ruaridh O’Neill for the second half would prove to be vital as Eunan Conway’s side took the lead for the first time on 40 minutes following points from O’Neill and Antrim star Jack Dowling.

Molloy converted a free for Dunloy, but the momentum had shifted and O’Neill restored his side’s lead with another excellent point.

Midway through the second half, the Cuchullains squandered a glorious goal chance when Cunning set up McKinley, but the raiding midfielder dragged his shot across Morrisey and to the right of the post.

McGrady hit two points in quick succession before Molloy keep Dunloy in touch with another free as the game entered the final five minutes with two between the sides.

In a match which threatened several goals, one eventually arrived on 57 minutes when St Brigid’s substitute Ben Leonard crashed his shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the net less than a minute after his introduction.

With Dunloy’s resistance finally broken, St Brigid’s reeled off the final three points via midfielder Cathal Conway, Webb and McGrady (free) while Morrisey produced another stunning save in injury-time to deny Molloy.

St Brigid’s will now face Down Intermediate champions Rostrevor in the Ulster Club quarter-final on Sunday, October 29.

St Brigid’s scorers: R McGrady 0-6 (0-4fs, 0-2 ‘45’), P Webb 0-3, B Leonard 1-0, R O’Neill 0-2, J Dowling, C Conway 0-1 each.

Dunloy scorers: K Molloy 0-4 (0-2fs), C McKinley 0-2 (0-1f), C Cunning, N Elliott 0-1 each.