Brigid's brush Gaels aside to seal county final berth

It was anything but pretty - in fact some of it was simply dreadful - for much of this Roscommon SFC semi-final at a murky Dr Hyde Park last Sunday evening. But this will be of little concern to a superbly confident and professional St Brigid's team, who emulated their earlier group win over Western Gaels by dishing out another 10-point drubbing to the west county standard-bearers. In truth, Noel O'Brien's Kiltoom and Cam charges enjoyed a relatively straightforward run through their group, before disposing of Strokestown (4-10 to 1-10) in the previous weekend's quarter-final. Still, caveats were in plentiful supply down Newpark way in the run up to Sunday's penultimate clash with Western Gaels, following the latter's clinical dismissal of Castlerea St Kevin's in their quarter-final (2-14 to 0-11). With that prize scalp under the Sky Blues' belts, the prospect of revenge against the current high kings of Roscommon and Connacht club football indicated a battle royale at the Hyde last Sunday (Elphin beat Kilbride 1-8 to 0-10 in the first semi-final). Against this background, the 1,500 or so attendance anticipated thrills and spills galore between the reigning champions and the 2009 county finalists, but they were doomed to disappointment. After a slow star, Brigid's, with wind advantage, gradually got the measure of star-studded opponents who appeared to leave their flair and panache back at Orchard Park, Elphin, the site of their demolition of Castlerea on August 28. Western Gaels employed a 'short-ball' possession game from the throw-in and they opened the scoring in the 6th minute when Derek Moran pointed, but they would not raise another flag for a full 16 minutes. Both teams didn't leave the starting stalls, in effect, with excitement as scarce as current bank leading, but Brigid's, after 14 insipid minutes of football, finally got on the scoreboard when Senan Kilbride pointed (it looked wide from the press box). This was followed a minute later with a fine effort from Cathal McHugh. Gaels launched a meaningful attack (17th minute), when Cathal Cregg put Tommy Gill clean through but his rasping shot was brilliantly stopped by Brigid's goalie James Martin. A sublime crossfield ball from Damien Kelleher placed Frankie Dolan on the left wing, but the Brigid's marksman was narrowly wide. These were some of the few noteworthy cameos from an otherwise desert of mediocrity in that eminently forgettable opening 20 minutes. But Gaels added a quick brace of points, the first when Derek Horan posted a free, the same player pointing from play a minute later to give their supporters some hope. Come the 24th minute, however, Noel O'Brien's charges suddenly upped the tempo. Centre half-back, Peter Domican led the champions resurgence - he placed Frankie Dolan for a point from play, then drew the foul for Frankie to point the resultant free. There promptly followed a brace from Senan Kilbride (28 minutes) and Darren Dolan adding another, a fine effort from 40 metres in a five-minute cameo of classic power play from the champions. In injury time, the Sky Blues came roaring back, and Derek Moran was target just on the short whistle when accurately punishing a foul on Cathal Cregg. Thus, Gaels were very much in contention as wind assisted Brigid's led by a mere 2 points (0-6 to 0-4) at the break after a first half which had turned out to be a damp squib, bearing in mind the galaxy of talent on view at a wintry H/Q on the occasion. Western Gaels, having brought on Eamonn Ryan late in the half, now introduced Thomas Mahon to attack for the restart, as they now enjoyed the benefit of the wind blowing into the town end. However, Brigid's made an instant start with Senan Kilbride placing Padraig Kelly for a point on 25 seconds. Jimmy Lyons' men however went for this jugular from the kickout. Cathal Cregg found the in rushing Kevin Higgins, whose goalbound missile drew another stunning save from the highly alert James Martin between the Brigid's posts. Midfielder Karol Mannion, back helping his defence, spectacularly cleared his lines, but play remained scrappy and of a stop-start nature. Frankie Dolan pointed a 41st minute free following a move initiated by corner back Darragh Sheehy, but Gaels, thanks to a Chris Collins point again made it a 3 point game. The outstanding Peter Domican standing tall in a rearguard where Darragh Donnelly and Darragh Sheehy also provided rock-like persistence was giving little or no leeway to the highly rated Gaels attack, and when Senan Kilbride, leading the Brigid's attack with zeal and aplomb, turned provider for corner-forward Padraig Kelly (who is equally proficient with the sliotar when hurling for Four Roads) to crash the ball to the Gaels net, Brigid's had, to all intents and purposes, booked their place in the final 2011. Entering the final quarter, the Newpark side now led 1-8 to 0-5 and while sub Finbar Cregg pointed a Gaels free which turned out to be their last score, the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Noel O'Brien's charges, however, were far from finished and with Senan Kilbride (fouls on Padraig Kelly and Darren Dolan) added further pointed frees, it was the excellent Darren Dolan taking a pass from Cathal McHugh, who applied the coup-de-grace with a 62nd minute lightning goal. Cathal and Finbar Cregg's late goal-poaching efforts were cleared from danger by the Brigid's defence and at Seamus Regan's long whistle, the famed green and reds had convincingly qualified for another title at the Fahey Cup, in which they meet Elphin in a repeat of the 2010 decider. Despite not playing to their known optimum form over the full hour, St. Brigid's gradually wore down the potentially dangerous challenge of a Western Gaels outfit who never produced (or perhaps weren't let) the sort of form shown against Castlerea. Hard and searching campaigns have honed this Newpark squad into a class act who know what is required in any situation. The challenge now is for all-comers to counteract this, but it will take a huge effort to wrestle the crown from this multi-talented squad who have set the standard on a higher plane. They don't do panic, but whatever is required to succeed in any given situation has, in campaign 2011 to date, been readily forthcoming. Goalie James Martin brought off at least two outstanding saves last Sunday and all members of the defensive unit (whose close marking epitomises Kilkenny hurlers at their best) exuded confidence, while Karol Mannion and Garvan Dolan worked hard at midfield. Up front, Senan Kilbride, was at the fulcrum of activity in a lethal unit which, when on optimum power, can amass a winning total in double quick time. ST BRIGID'S: James Martin, Niall Grehan, Darragh Donnelly, Darragh Sheehy, Gearoid Cunniffe, Peter Domican, Darren Dolan (1-1), Karol Mannion, Garvan Dolan, Eoin Sheehy, Cathal McHugh (0-1), Damien Kelleher, Padraig Kelly (1-1), Senan Kilbride (0-4, 2f), Frankie Dolan (0-3, 2f). Sub: Cormac Sheehy for G Dolan (63). WESTERN GAELS: Eamonn McGinley, Sean Mahon, Michael Higgins, Brian Cafferky, Dermot McGarry, Adrian Freyne, Donal Ward, Sean McDermott, Adrian Dockery, Ultan Mulleady, Tommy Gill, Cathal Cregg, Chris Collins (0-1), Kevin Higgins (0-1), Derek Moran (0-3, 2f). Subs: Eamonn Ryan for Freyne (27), Thomas Mahon for Mulleady (H/T) and Finbar Cregg (0-1f) for Moran (46). REFEREE: Seamus Regan (Eire "g).