Ulster Senior Football Championship
Edendork 1-15
St Brigid's 2-11
At O'Neill's Park
St Brigid’s came agonisingly close to pulling off a remarkable second-half comeback in their Ulster Championship debut but Tyrone champions Edendork held their nerve to withstand a late assault from the Antrim champions.
The Antrim champions found themselves five points adrift at the interval after the Tyrone men struck a crucial first-half goal through John McLernon. However, St Brigid’s refused to surrender and produced a determined response after the restart, with a late penalty from Paul Bradley setting up a grandstand finish.
Joseph Logan brought the Biddies to within a point in the closing stages, but Edendork managed to hold on as time eventually ran out on the Belfast side's comeback ambitions.
Ronan McGrady opened the scoring for St Brigid’s, but Edendork quickly settled into their stride with Darren McCurry bringing the sides level before JJ Higgins restored the Antrim champions' advantage.
Niall Morgan then provided a glimpse of Edendork's attacking threat when he unleashed a superb two-point effort in the ninth minute. Ryan McLennis followed with a point before McCurry added another from distance as the Tyrone champions began to establish control.
Harry Conlon and Ben Cullen extended the Edendork tally, but St Brigid’s found a response through Joseph Finnegan, who rose highest to punch the ball to the net and breathe fresh life into the contest.
Patrick McLernon replied for Edendork before McGrady finished off an excellent jinking run to register another score for the Biddies.
Dara Quinn then produced a fine effort off his left boot to leave just a point between the sides and the momentum appeared to be shifting towards the Antrim men.
However, McCurry had other ideas. The Edendork attacker registered twice in quick succession to push his side two clear before the Tyrone men landed a hammer blow in the closing stages of the half.
John McLernon found the net with a crucial goal to give Edendork some breathing space, and although Niall Duffy responded with a point for St Brigid’s, the Belfast side headed for the dressing rooms facing a five-point deficit.
Duffy opened the second-half scoring with an excellent effort as St Brigid’s looked to build some momentum, but Patrick McLernon answered for Edendork to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
McGrady added another from close range for the Biddies before Patrick Finnegan registered for the Tyrone champions.
Quinn continued to lead the St Brigid’s charge, landing another fine score to bring the gap down to three points as the contest entered its final quarter.
Edendork responded through John McLernon and Conn Kilpatrick, however, to put some daylight between the sides once again and leave St Brigid’s with plenty of work to do.
JJ Higgins converted a free in the 55th minute to keep the Biddies in touch, and Joseph Finnegan looked to have found the net for a second time moments later. However, the effort was ruled out for a square ball, denying St Brigid’s a potentially decisive breakthrough.
St Brigid’s were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute and Paul Bradley stepped forward to make no mistake from the spot, firing to the net to ignite hopes of an unlikely turnaround.
The Belfast side threw everything forward in the closing stages, with Joseph Logan finding the target to reduce the deficit to a single point.
Edendork were suddenly under immense pressure as St Brigid’s searched desperately for an equaliser, but the Tyrone men held firm.
Despite a tremendous late surge from the Antrim champions, the final whistle sounded with St Brigid’s left to rue the opportunities that had gone before, while Edendork celebrated a hard-earned victory after surviving a late scare.
