Brigid's pass London test to earn last four place

This across-channel banana skin was safely negotiated by St Brigid's as they defeated London champions Fulham Irish in Ruislip last Sunday. The victory saw Brigid's qualify for the last four of the All-Ireland club championship for the second year in succession. The Connacht champions now await the winners of Sunday week's Leinster final in the All-Ireland semi-finals. The Kiltoom and Cam outfit will either face a mouthwatering clash with their neighbours from across the Shannon, Westmeath champions Garrycastle, or a team which bears the same name as themselves (St Brigid's of Dublin). St Brigid's always looked comfortable in the English capital last Sunday, with a bright start - which yielded an unanswered 1-4 inside the opening 14 minutes - setting them on their way. When Fulham Irish lost one of their leading players, Lorcan Mulvey, to a second yellow card in the 30th minute, any hopes of a shock result were virtually extinguished. The west London outfit battled valiantly, but the gulf in class was evident when St Brigid's moved through the gears. The travelling Brigid's contingent in the estimated attendance of around 400 was warmly welcomed by their hosts. The weather conditions were mild and dry as this novel All-Ireland quarter-final commenced. Both teams had changes to their listed line-ups. With Padraig Kelly ruled out due to appendicitis, Ian Kilbride was drafted into midfield for Brigid's, with Garvan Dolan going to 'the forty' and No 11 Cathal McHugh deployed in the full-forward line. Meanwhile, Gearóid Cunniffe was started instead of Damien Kelleher. Brigid's were backed by the wind in the first half and they dominated the opening quarter. The opening score came from a well-struck Senan Kilbride free, after a foul on Peter Domican. The Brigid's forwards were putting the Fulham Irish defence under huge pressure when in possession - one example saw Shane Mulligan forced into overcarrying. The resulting free from Senan Kilbride led to a point for Frankie Dolan, a score which was somewhat reminiscent of the late gem he landed against Corofin in the Connacht final. In the eighth minute, Brigid's struck for the only goal of the game. Cathal McHugh's initial effort was well blocked by back tracking Fulham wing-forward Iomar Barrett but, under pressure from Niall Grehan, the Fulham 'keeper Declan Traynor and his defence couldn't clear their lines. The ball was eventually forced home by McHugh. With Fulham almost penned into their own half for long spells, further Brigid's points followed from Darren Dolan and his brother Frankie (a soccer style finish from close range). Patrick Walsh (a brother of Carlow star Thomas Walsh) and Lorcan Mulvey were impressive as they tried to inspire Fulham. Still, Brigid's soon carved open the home side's defence with a slick move, at the end of which Senan Kilbride fired wide when a goal looked on. In the 19th minute, Fulham opened their account, Fergal McVey earning a free, which was pointed by Mulvey. The fielding prowess of Walsh and Mulvey (wing-back John Boyce also made a fine fetch at one stage) was the London's side main asset. But Fulham lacked the ability to move the ball quickly into the danger area and there was a lack of movement in their attack. Kilbride pointed his second free to put Brigid's 1-5 to 0-1 ahead on 22 minutes. However, Fulham Irish gave themselves a lift with two points in quick succession - the first from a well-struck free by Mulvey, and then a point from Marty Hughes that really should have been a goal. A pinpoint delivery from a Mulvey free found Hughes inside the Brigid's defence, but the Tyrone man clipped the ball over, rather than under, the bar. Mulvey was then unlucky not to be awarded a free as he drove a shot narrowly wide and, moments later, the Cavan native was shown his second yellow card, after unnecessarily getting involved with Brigid's wing-forward Darren Dolan. The latter player missed a good chance to extend his side's lead, and the teams heading for the dressing-rooms with Brigid's 1-5 to 0-3 ahead. Within 32 seconds of the restart, the Roscommon champions added to their lead, with Peter Domican coming forward to point, after good work by Frankie Dolan, Eoin Sheehy and Cathal McHugh. Karol Mannion then sent in a lovely pass to Kilbride whose lay-off set up Garvan Dolan, but the latter's finish was wayward after he shipped a meaty shoulder. As Brigid's continued to put some flowing moves together, Eoin Sheehy was denied a goal by Declan Traynor, before Frankie Dolan pointed another free. Harry Murphy's sweetly struck free from the ground yielded the London side's first point of the second period. John Ryan then landed an exquisite point for Fulham, after splendid work by Walsh and Murphy, leaving the score 1-7 to 0-5. As if to underline their pedigree, Brigid's replied with a superb individual point by Darren Dolan. Despite numerical disadvantage and the deficit facing them, Fulham refused to wilt and substitute John Reilly brought his side back within five points. But another necklace of Brigid's passes then presented Cathal McHugh with a scoring chance and he wisely opted to fist the ball over. As Brigid's threatened a second goal, Damien Kelleher's handpassed effort came off the crossbar, with Traynor and his defence managing to scramble the ball to safety. Frankie Dolan then showed his skill with a delightful, chipped free which set up McHugh for a point. After a sweet score by the lively Marty Hughes, McHugh grabbed another point. The impressive Traynor denied Senan Kilbride, before Frankie Dolan rounded off the scoring with an injury-time free, as thoughts began to turn towards the journey home. St Brigid's have lost just one championship game in 2011 and that was against Crossmaglen Rangers in the All-Ireland final. Now, they just one win away from returning to the scene of that defeat as they continue their bid to go one better. Scorers - St Brigid's: C McHugh 1-3; F Dolan 0-4 (2f); D Dolan 0-2; S Kilbride 0-2 (2f); P Domican 0-1. Fulham Irish: M Hughes 0-2; L Mulvey 0-2 (2f); J Ryan, J Reilly, H Murphy (free) 0-1 each. St Brigid's: James Martin; Robbie Kelly, Darragh Donnelly (capt.), Darragh Sheehy; Gearóid Cunniffe, Peter Domican, Niall Grehan; Karol Mannion, Ian Kilbride; Darren Dolan, Garvan Dolan, Eoin Sheehy; Cathal McHugh, Senan Kilbride, Frankie Dolan. Subs: Damien Kelleher for Kelly (46); John Murray for Cunniffe (55); Conor McHugh for Cathal McHugh (56); G Dunning for S Kilbride (60); Cormac Sheehy for Grehan (60). Fulham Irish: Declan Traynor; Gary O'Hare, Conor McClean, Martin Conway; Aidan Savage, Shane Mulligan, John Boyce; Lorcan Mulvey, Patrick Walsh; Fergal McVey, Noel Nicholson, Iomar Barrett; John Ryan, Marty Hughes, Harry Murphy. Subs: Padraig McKernan for Nicholson (h-t); John Reilly for Savage (34 mins); Oisin McNeela for Boyce (42); N Nicholson for Barrett (53). Referee: Eddie Kinsella (Laois).