Strong second period secures points for Bright

St John’s 1-05 v 0-13 Bright                                        Fri 27^th May

After a close first half, Bright came flying out of traps for the second period and went on to secure a well deserved win away to St John’s.

The first half was a close affair, with only the accuracy of Bright’s free-takers separating the teams. All five of the visitors’ scores in the opening period came from placed ball. The fact that a couple of these scores came from “where the ball landed” after late tackles further out the field added to St John’s frustration.

Bright were first of the mark with a brace of pointed frees before Brian Fitzpatrick point a free in reply. The same player hit the post with another free shortly after – that might have levelled the scores in what was turning into a very even contest. As it was Bright pointed next to increase their lead after the first quarter.

St John’s then fired themselves into the lead with a very well worked goal. Barry Russell won possession in the half back line and transferred the ball to Ollie Ward who had found space on the right side of midfield. He had time to look up and consider his options. He placed the ball ahead of Eugene O’Boyle rushing towards the goal. Eugene gathered the ball, raced forward and drove the ball beyond the despairing grasp of the Bright goalkeeper.

Bright pointed another free to draw level while St John’s spurned a couple of chances to re-establish their lead. Bright might have got a first score from open play but for good work by Matthew McMullan. As it happened it was Bright who went into the break with a one point advantage courtesy of a massive free from beyond the 45m line.

After the closeness of the opening half, the second period was a big disappointment for St John’s. Bright opened in a very lively fashion and dominated for the first ten minutes or so during which time they got another point from a free and their first two scores from open play.

St John’s head began to drop a bit after that so although the quality of the Bright play decreased they were still dominant. The added two more frees and then another brace of points from open play. They would have added more to their tally but for a couple of great saves by Darren McMullan. Fully twenty minutes had elapsed before St John’s got near to scoring. Then Aidan Kelly pointed a free to reduce the deficit to seven points. Bright then added their final score of the day with five minutes remaining.

 

St John’s did rally for the closing period, with Conor McCombe and Declan Brennan pushing forward, but it has to be said that Bright were taking their foot off the gas at this stage. Points from Brian Fitzpatrick, Declan Brennan and a free from Kevin Savage reduced the margin and gave the final score-line a more respectable look.

 

St John’s: Darren McMullan; Matthew McMullan, Declan Burns, Conor McCombe; Barry Russell, Declan Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Mal Ward, Ollie Ward; Eugene O’Boyle, Sean Kelly, Brian Fitzpatrick; Aidan Kelly, Kevin Savage, Sean Fitzpatrick. Sub Neil Murray for Sean Kelly.