Burt save themselves and condemn Naomh Bríd to IFC relegation

Burt will play in the Donegal IFC again next season following their narrow relegation final win over Naomh Brid at the Cross.

Burt 0-10 Naomh Brid 1-5

In a game of high stakes, there was little between the teams though over the 60-plus minutes on the scoreboard. But in terms of possession and scoring chances, Burt had the lion's share and were the better side.

Burt recovered from falling three behind after being rocked with a Naomh Brid goal in the middle of the first half to go in at half-time ahead, 0-6 to 1-2.

Thomas Gallagher scored the Naomh Brid goal 15 minutes into the winner-takes-all tie. He hit the back Calum Gallagher’s initial effort was batted away by Kieran Brady into the path of Declan McCafferty who quickly found Gallagher to his left.

The goal propelled Naomh Brid into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead after the teams had been level twice in the opening exchanges. John Fitzpatrick and Eoin Rushe, and Darren Russell and Jack O’Brien traded scores.

Burt upped their game after the goal and with points from Mark McElhinney - three frees - and a Jack O’Brien one from play to edge in front at half-time.
John Fitzpatrick stretched the Burt lead out to two soon after half-time for a 0-7 to 1-2 lead.

Two quick points from Darren Russell and Billy Harran tied up the game by the 50-minute mark. But as they did in the first half, Burt, when threatened, pulled away again to race clear by three with just over 10 minutes to play.

McElhinney, Liam Og McKinney and O’ Brien scored the points for Burt. And but for poor finishing the men from Hibernian Park would have been further ahead. In all, they shot 10 wides four in the first half and six in the second a number from very scoreable positions.

As a result, when Eoin Rushe 10 minutes from the end reduced the lead, it was in the balance and though reduced to 14 on the hour mark after Calum Gallagher picked up a second yellow card followed by a red, Naomh Brid pressed till the final whistle.

And there were anxious moments in the Burt camp when Eoin Rushe lobbed a late free into the Burt goal area, only to be cleared. Naomh Brid will now play in the Junior A championship next season.

Burt scorers: Mark McElhinney 0-4, 3f, 45; Jack O’Brien 0-3, 2f; John Fitzpatrick 0-2; Liam Óg McKinney 0-1.
Naomh Brid: Thomas Gallagher 1-0; Darren Russell 0-2,1f; Eoin Rushe 0-2,2f; Billy Harron 0-1.

Burt: Kieran Brady; Ciaran Curran, Tom Doherty, Darren Bradley; Daibhidh Grant, Stephen O’Donnell, Keith McColgan; Conor Gartland, Liam Óg McKinney; Michael McHugh, Oisin Kelly, John Fitzpatrick (0-2); Jack O’Brien, Mark McElhinney, Darren Gallagher. Subs: Shayne Gallagher for McHugh (50), Ciaran Bradley for Kelly.
Naomh Bríd: Pauric McDaid; Michael Gallagher, Gary McCafferty, TJ Gallagher; Liam Duffy, Eoin McGarrigle, Billy Harron (0-1); Callum Gallagher, Thomas Gallagher; Darren Russell, Gearoid Gallagher, Sean Gormley; Callam McGrory, Eoin Rush, Declan McCafferty.