St Brigid’s hold nerve to secure crucial victory over Ringtown

St Brigid's 3-16, Ringtown 2-14

By Adam Nuzum

St Brigid’s took a big step towards retaining Senior 'B' hurling status for another year following a hard-fought five-point victory over Ringtown in a tense and occasionally fractious relegation battle at Coralstown/Kinnegad on Sunday afternoon.

With both sides knowing that defeat would nudge them closer to intermediate hurling next season, the importance of the occasion was evident from the opening whistle. Ultimately, St Brigid’s showed the greater composure and determination when the pressure was at its greatest.

Playing with a slight breeze at their backs in the opening half, St Brigid’s made the brighter start. Mikie Mullen, who was handed the free-taking duties, struck the left upright with his opening attempt, but he quickly settled his nerves, registering from play in the third minute. David Hanlon doubled the advantage a minute later, winning the Ringtown puck-out before sending the sliotar back over the bar. Mullen then converted a free in the fifth minute before Emmet Corrigan opened Ringtown’s account with a placed ball in the sixth.

St Brigid’s responded with the game’s opening goal in the eighth minute. Hanlon found the back of the net to put his side firmly in control and, at that stage, Ringtown were struggling to find their rhythm. Corrigan reduced the deficit with another point in the tenth minute, but Mullen was beginning to exert his influence, converting two frees in the 11th minute. Corrigan replied from another free a minute later before Ringtown produced their first major response of the afternoon. In the 13th minute, Mark Cunningham found the net to bring Ringtown right back into the contest. Mullen immediately responded with a point at the other end, but Ringtown were beginning to grow into the game. Corrigan converted another free in the 15th minute, while Mullen added his sixth score of the half from a free three minutes later.

The scores continued to come thick and fast. Corrigan registered another point in the 19th minute, with Niall Cully replying for Brigid’s moments later. Corrigan then converted another free in the 21st minute before Ringtown struck for their second goal of the afternoon. Brian Brophy found the back of the net in the 23rd minute to put Ringtown in front for the first time, capping a remarkable turnaround after St Brigid’s had dominated the opening stages. Corrigan added another free in the 24th minute before Brigid’s goalkeeper Paddy Carroll came forward to take a long-range free in the 26th minute, sending it over the bar to leave just a point between the sides at the interval.

Half-time: Ringtown 2-7, St Brigid’s 1-9. Ringtown had recovered impressively during the second quarter, but despite leading at half-time, the game remained finely balanced.

The second half began at a frantic pace, with both goalkeepers producing excellent saves inside the opening two minutes. Mark Cunningham extended Ringtown’s advantage with the opening score of the second half, but Mullen responded with a free. Then came the turning point… Five minutes into the second half, St Brigid’s were awarded a penalty and goalkeeper Paddy Carroll made the long journey from his own goal to take responsibility. The Brigid’s number one showed nerves of steel, striking the penalty with tremendous power and giving the Ringtown goalkeeper absolutely no chance. The goal put St Brigid’s back in front and, more importantly, gave them a huge lift at a crucial stage of the game. Ringtown continued to battle, but Brigid’s gradually began to establish control. A series of scores at either end left St Brigid’s four points clear with 15 minutes remaining. Ringtown continued to create opportunities but were unable to convert enough of them.

Substitute Marc Davis, who had replaced Sean Boylan, came agonisingly close to finding the net in the 46th minute, only for his effort to be brilliantly deflected over the bar by the St Brigid’s goalkeeper. The chance would prove significant as Ringtown struggled to turn possession into scores during the closing stages. With Ringtown chasing the game, St Brigid’s showed the greater composure and determination. Their desire to retain their Senior B status was evident in every challenge and every ball contested. Mullen then delivered the decisive blow in the 53rd minute when he raised a green flag to put St Brigid’s six points clear with just seven minutes remaining. It was an outstanding contribution from the Brigid’s free-taker, who finished the afternoon with an impressive 1-11.

Ringtown continued to press, but their failure to convert opportunities ultimately proved costly. At least six wides in the second half, coupled with a number of missed chances, left them chasing the game when theyneeded scores most. The closing stages became increasingly stop-start, with frustration evident on both sides. Further yellow cards were shown and a number of frees went in St Brigid’s favour as Ringtown’s discipline began to suffer. While some decisions were greeted with frustration from the Ringtown supporters, St Brigid’s remained focused on the task in hand and managed the closing minutes effectively.

The final whistle brought relief and celebrations for the Brigid’s players and supporters, who had secured a hugely valuable five-point victory and, in doing so, moved a step closer towards retaining their Senior B status. For Ringtown, the disappointment was considerable. They had fought back from a difficult opening quarter and led at half-time, but their inability to convert chances in the second half ultimately cost them dearly. In a game where so much was at stake, St Brigid’s showed the greater appetite for survival when it mattered most.

Scorers - St Brigid’s: Mikie Mullen 1-11 (9 frees, 2 play, 1 goal); David Hanlon 1-1; Paddy Carroll 1-1, Niall Cully 0-1; Finbar Coyne 0-1; Alex Eighan 0-1.

Ringtown: Emmet Corrigan 0-10 (8 frees, 2 play); Mark Cunningham 1-2; Brian Brophy 1-0; Ciaran Moran 0-1; Marc Davis 0-1.

St Brigid’s: Paddy Carroll; Cormac Eighan, Dan Sullivan, Billy Arthur; Christopher Daly, Joe Hyland, Connall Dunne; Niall Cully, Sean Deegan; David Hanlon, Finbar Coyne, Stephen Quinn; Jack Carroll, Mikie Mullen, Alex Eighan.

Sub used: Kieran Geraghty.

Ringtown: Darragh Moran; Des Smyth, Niall Moran, Ryan Moore; Paul Nangle, Ciaran Moran, Calum O’Boyle; Owen Harper, Mark Cunningham; Emmet Corrigan, Johnny Hardman, Darren Kilcoyne; Jason Moran, Brian Brophy, Sean Boylan.

Substitutes used: Marc Davis and James Boylan.

Referee: Sean Carroll (Cullion)