Bright denied late on as Ardglass take hard-earned spoils

17 May 2017

THIS was a thrilling encounter in which both teams gave everything in a tightly contested derby.

Bright started the better and took the lead when Gareth George ghosted by a few Ardglass defenders to score a great point. Brendan McMenamin doubled the led as Bright continued to pressurise the Ardglass defence.

Niall Byrne, Christopher Byrne and Conor Black repelled all before them in the Bright back line and it was 14 minutes before Ardglass registered a point through Daniel Smyth.

Niall Byrne was then unlucky to receive a black card and from then on Ardglass got more into the game and were soon ahead with scores from Smyth (0-2), Chris Armstrong and Neil Teggart.

The tireless Matthew Burns tried to keep Bright in touch and scored a free through his hard work.

Cormac McLaughlin had a shot on goal well saved while McMenamin, James Hanna and Decky Trainor all had chances to add to Bright’s tally as Ardglass went in at the break with a 0-6 got 0-3 lead.

The second half seen a more determined Bright side begin with belief in themselves.

Led by Trainor and George in midfield and the experienced Donal McCartan, Bright chipped away at Ardglass’ lead.

Trainor struck a fine solo effort and the busy McMenamin scored three points putting Ardglass on the back foot, but scores from Caolan O’Shea, Ciaran Dorrian and Davy Armstrong kept Ardglass’ noses in front.

Dorrian extended Ardglass’ lead as the game entered the final few minutes, but scores from McMenamin and George levelled matters before Ardglass won the game with a controversial free.

Jude McCrissican was outstanding in the Bright goal, pulling off a number of saves. John McLeigh and Marc Burke were resolute in half back and set up attack after attack from each turn over.

Bright forwards were ably assisted by Cailean Toner, Burns, McLaughlin and Rian Tempany.

The game ended in controversy when an Ardglass player was alleged to have thrown the ball all at a Bright player’s face only for the referee to deem it as a yellow card.

Moments later, Bright broke away and McMenamin received a lovely pass inside the 21m line only to be cynically pulled down. Play was waved on and Ardglass were able to counter attack and as they charged forward they were awarded a controversial free, which many believed should have gone Bright’s way.

George protested to the referee and was shown a straight red. Ardglass scored the free and won the game by a point.

Bright: Jude McCrissican, Christopher Byrne, Niall Byrne, Conor Black, Marc Burke, John McLeigh, Cailean Toner, Declan Trainor (0-1), Gareth George (0-2), Cormac McLaughlin, Matthew Burns (0-2), Rian Tempany, Brendan McMenamin (0-4), Donal McCartan, James Hanna. Subs: Matt McKiernan, Eamonn McKinney, Joe Farrand, Decky Quinn, Paddy Mageean, Seamus Tumelty, Oran Tumelty.

Ardglass: Mark Armstrong, Aidan Finnegan, Eamon McEvoy, Sean Halpin, Daniel Fleming, Chris Armstrong (0-1), Malachy Crangle, Eoin Curran, Caolan O’Shea (0-1), Stephen Rooney, Ciaran Dorrian, (0-2), Conor Kearney, Daniel Smyth (0-4), Neil Teggart (0-1), Davy Armstrong (0-1). Subs: Mark Maginnis for Curran, Shane Teggart for N Teggart, Cavan Flynn for McEvoy, Anton O’Shea for C O’Shea.

Bright 0-9

Ardglass 0-10

ACFL DIVISION 4

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