THIS crucial SFC tie developed into a 'shootout at the OK Corral' scenario and it was the deadly accurate Fra McCullough who proved the fastest draw as he sent St Bride's spiralling towards the relegation play-offs for the second successive year at Pairc Mhuire, Ardee, last Thursday evening.

With three minutes of normal time remaining St Bride's led 0-11 to 0-7 and it seemed the contribution of full forward Aaron Hoey would carry his side to victory.

Hoey was irrepressible in the Bride's attack, contributing nine points of his side's tally, including three from 45s. However, not even that was enough as McCullough's magnificent 1-8 for the Monasterboice outfit edged them through as winners of Group C.

McCullough's 59th-minute penalty goal, awarded for a foul on Michael Fanning, proved a turning point as it brought the mid-Louth men to within a point, 1-7 to 0-11.

Hoey's third forty-five doubled Bride's lead on 60 minutes and at that stage victory looked a safe bet. But McCullough had other ideas and he swung over a great effort from the left wing two minutes into added time before confidently stroking the equaliser from a close-range free in the fifth minute of added time following a foul on Lee Wright.

With JP Rooney on holidays and Mark McCormack and Brian Berrill injured, the Monasterboice men looked vulnerable for long periods in the game. Bride's enjoyed the edge possession-wise, but were unable to shake off their dogged opponents.

It took quite a while for the game to catch fire though, and at half-time it was also level at 0-5 each.

David Delaney had the game's opening score from a free on five minutes before the shootout began.

Shane Fennell was denied a goal by a fine block from Mairtin's keeper Craig Lynch before Hoey eventually found the range from 35 metres. Hoey then converted two 45s to leave it 0-3 to 0-1 by the 17th minute and hit over a 50-metre free on 22 minutes.

McCullough never allowed Bride's get too far ahead and two points in first-half added time had the sides level at the break.

Brides set the pace for the entire second half as substitute Patrick Reilly pointed within a minute of the restart. By the three quarter-way stage they had opened up a three-point advantage for the first time after Hoey pointed another free.

The Bride's full forward missed a great chance of putting further daylight between the sides when his goal effort flashed wide of the target on 51 minutes.

By that stage Nicky Malone's side had lost their way, with Nicky McDonnell getting no change out of Bride's full back David Dunne and the rest of the attack, apart from McCullough, struggling to make an impression.

McCullough's 41st-minute point was the Jocks' only score in 25 minutes of second-half action. Hoey stretched the lead to four points before a McCullough effort from the left wing looked wide, but the umpires saw it differently and it brought the deficit back to three.

Michael Fanning switched positions with McDonnell in the closing stages and found the side-netting with a goal attempt on 58 minutes. In the next attack, however, he was hauled down in the square and McCullough expertly put away the resultant spot kick.

Bride's clung desperately to preserve their lead, but just as they had done against Kilkerley the Mairtins staged another late rally which carried them to victory. NAOMH MAIRTIN: Craig Lynch; Martin Byrne, Brendan Reilly, Eamonn McQuillan; Kenneth Lambe, Brian Howell, Eoin Wright; Gavin Mooney, Michael Fanning; Patrick Sullivan, David Delaney 0-1f, Paul Berrill; Francis McCullough 1-8 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), Nicky McDonnell, Oliver Ginty. Subs: Patrick Halligan for Ginty (15), Padraig McDonagh for Sullivan (45), Lee Wright for McQuillan (48), Barry Sullivan for Halligan (59). ST BRIDE'S: Barry Corcoran; Niall Mackin, David Dunne, Paul Prendergast; Mark Hoey, Paul Mackin, Colin McNally 0-1; Shane Kerrigan, Paul Kirk; Donal McNally 0-1f, Pearse Murphy, Ray Kelly; Michael McKenna, Aaron Hoey 0-9 (0-5f, 0-3 '45'), Shane Fennell. Sub: Patrick Reilly 0-1 for Fennell (30+), Michael Keane for Murphy (46), Kevin Kirk for McKenna (48). REFEREE: David Fedigan.

- Sean WALL at Pairc Mhuire