O"Connor seals it for Brigid"s as wasteful Strokestown pay the price

St. Brigid"s commenced their quest for a unique four-in-a-row of titles in winning vein when, at Kiltoom on Sunday evening last, they had five points to spare over a Strokestown side who went within an ace of dethroning the reigning champions at the quarter-final stage a year ago. It is almost folklore now in Roscommon GAA circles how Karol Mannion"s injury-time penalty gave his side a dramatic victory over the Black and Ambers - and they eventually went on to take their third Fahey Cup in succession. But when the sides were drawn in Group D of this year"s SFC, alongside Castlerea, it provided Dessie Barry"s charges with an opportunity to gain revenge for that heartbreaking 2007 reverse. To do so, however, they had to enter St. Brigid"s Kiltoom lair for this first round tie, never an easy assignment, and with the magnificent Newpark venue in pristine condition considering the intermittent downpours which persisted almost up to match time, the stage was set for another epic between these keen rivals. The counter-attraction of "live" sporting action on television and, without doubt, the dreadful prevailing weather, conspired to reduce the attendance to disappointing proportions, but it was Strokestown (last winners of the SFC in 2002), who started the contest in impressive mode. The light crossfield breeze was hardly a factor as, thankfully, the rain cleared away for almost all the first half. The visitors signalled immediate intent as a lively attacking formation, inspired in the main by wing-forward Kevin J. Dolan and corner-forward Conor Silke, were winning plenty of possession against the home rearguard. Dolan and Silke popped over two impressive points to give their side the ideal start, and it was taking all the known capabilities of outstanding centre-back Ger Aherne to keep the hungry Black and Ambers at bay. It was fitting, therefore, that the pivotal defender should have a say in St. Brigid"s devastating 5th minute response when, from an Aherne free, the ball came to Cathal McHugh, and when the No. 15 sent Senan Kilbride through, the full-forward had only one thing on his mind as he rounded full-back Ronan Owens, waltzed through and despatched a right-footed shot past goalkeeper John McHugh for a rocking riposte. And so, somewhat against the run of early play, Kilbride strike"s fired his side a point ahead, but, with former inter-county star Morgan Beirne impressive at midfield, Strokestown responded strongly, and a lovely point from full-forward Enda Molloy had his side on terms (8th minute). Although the game was somewhat lacking the white heat of Championship intensity, the open nature of the play was providing good entertainment for the crowd. Cathal McHugh forced the first '45' of the game and when Frankie Dolan found the unmarked Karol Mannion from the placed ball, the team captain edged his side ahead with a fine point. Aptly described by commentator Willie Hegarty as 'poetry in motion', an exquisite move involving David O"Connor and Frankie culminated in Cathal McHugh sending over a peach of a point (13th minute). But just when it looked as if the champions were assuming control, back came Strokestown. John Rogers punished a heavy tackle on himself when pointing the resultant free, and then centre-forward Pearse McGinley restored the visitors" two point lead. By the 20th minute of play, five of the Strokestown attack had scored, four from play, and while a David O"Connor 25th minute free edged the Green and Reds ahead, there was no let-up from last year"s quarter-finalists as their impressive midfielder Rory O"Connor made the opening for a Conor Silke point. And another from Kevin J. Dolan (28th minute) left Strokestown 0-7 to 1-3 to the good. Although, unusually, he didn"t score himself in this game, Frankie Dolan was the fulcrum of nearly every attacking move and he was again involved in the build-up to David O"Connor"s equaliser from play, and Senan Kilbride made no mistake for the lead point on the half hour. Left half-back John Tiernan almost goaled in added time when his fisted effort was just off target, but at referee Ollie Kelly"s half-time whistle, and despite all the Strokestown pressure, it was St. Brigid"s who led by 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval of an always interesting encounter. From the restart, St. Brigid"s, through the improving Mark O"Carroll and Karol Mannion, dominated the midfield exchanges and, with David O"Connor penalising every defensive indiscretion, the home side had taken a 3-point lead by the 43rd minute, which could have been more had wing-forward Gearoid Cunniffe put away a golden goal opportunity. David O"Connor (3 frees) and newcomer Damien Kelleher brought the Brigid"s total to 1-9, while Strokestown kept in touch with a John Rogers" perfectly-flighted free from 45 metres, and Conor Silke"s third from play. Only a goal behind, Strokestown received a huge boost when, in the 44th minute, a mix-up in the St. Brigid"s defence saw Conor Silke mishit a goal chance, but Enda Molloy was in to force it over the line. Match level - game on! Were we in for Knockcroghery 2007 all over again? Dessie Barry"s charges however, now proceeded to squander match-winning opportunities, and their wides total increased to six with some very profligate shooting. It was at this stage that the game was won and lost, and with the influence of Morgan Beirne waning at midfield, and the absence, through a blood injury, of the reliable Niall Owens at corner-back, the experience of St. Brigid"s again came to the fore. Mark O"Carroll now led the champions" winning rally - he drew the foul which David O"Connor converted to restore their lead, and when the No. 9 made the road for top scorer O"Connor to blast a right-footed rocket to the net, the points were destined for the home team. Another O"Connor free, together with another point from play from attacking corner-back David Nestor, brought the St. Brigid"s final total to 2-12, but while the gallant Black and Amber brigade never gave up, those missed opportunities would prove costly in the end. Late Strokestown attacks were confidently mopped up by a St. Brigid"s defence now brimming with confidence - they only conceded 1-1 from play in that second half. And although John Rogers had the final say for the visitors with a late pointed free, the two points on offer were safely in the possession of the reigning kingpins of Roscommon football, who march defiantly on to their next challenge. Early hesitancy gradually gave way to a growing St. Brigid"s confidence, and while their performance left lots of room for improvement, there was an underlying current of experience discernible in Anthony Cunningham"s charges when circumstances warranted. Goalie James Martin was fronted by a strongly finishing defence where Robbie Kelly, newcomer David Nestor, the outstanding Ger Aherne and John Tiernan all impressed. Mark O"Carroll and Karol Mannion swung the midfield verdict the homesters" way in the second half, while, up front, David O"Connor took the honours with an impressive total of 1-7, in a sector where Senan Kilbride and Cathal McHugh also played integral parts, while Frankie Dolan proved the ideal fulcrum of nearly every attacking move. Minute"s Silence Before the game, a minute"s silence was observed in memory of the late Jason Daly who tragically lost his life in a car accident last weekend. SCORERS - St. Brigid"s: D O"Connor (1-7, 0-6f), S Kilbride (1-1), K Mannion (0-1), Cathal McHugh (0-1), D Kelleher (0-1), D Nestor (0-1). Strokestown: E Molloy (1-1), C Silke (0-3), J Rogers (0-3, 3fs), Kevin J. Dolan (0-2), Pearse McGinley (0-1). St. Brigid"s: James Martin, Robbie Kelly, Darragh Donnelly, David Nestor, Niall Grehan, Ger Aherne, John Tiernan, Mark O"Carroll, Karol Mannion (capt), Gearóid Cunniffe, Frankie Dolan, Damien Kelleher, David O"Connor, Senan Kilbride, Cathal McHugh. Subs: Cormac Sheehy for Kelleher (51), Conor McHugh for Cathal McHugh (55), Eoin Mannion for Cunniffe (60). Strokestown: John McHugh, Niall Brogan, Ronan Owens, Niall Owens, Daniel Rogers, Johnny Dolan, Emmett Collins, Morgan Beirne, Rory O"Connor, John Rogers, Pearse McGinley, Kevin J. Dolan, Kenny Bosquette, Enda Molloy, Conor Silke. Subs: Damien Caslin for N Owens (blood sub), Mattie Colum for Molloy (55). Referee: Ollie Kelly (St. Faithleach"s).