Reigning champions St Brigid's reappoint senior manager

Benny O'Brien has been reappointed as manager of the St Brigid's senior football team for the 2021 season.

"We're delighted to confirm that Benny O'Brien & his management team will once again be in charge of our senior team for 2021," the club said in a tweet yesterday evening (Tuesday).

"When Benny took over the reins last year, he had been ratified as manager for a two-year term. Wishing all the very best in their defence of the senior title."

O'Brien led St Brigid's to the Roscommon senior football title last year, when their predominantly young side defeated 2019 champions Padraig Pearses in the county final.

With plenty of youthful talent within the club after considerable underage success in recent years, many observers will regard St Brigid's as favourites to win the Fahey Cup again in 2021.

A native of Brideswell, O'Brien was part of the St Brigid's management team for the 2013 All-Ireland club success.

O'Brien went on to secure two county titles during his first spell as Brigid's manager and added another one last year.

As a player O'Brien won a senior championship medal with Brigid's in 1997, the club's first Roscommon crown in 28 years.

In 2019, O'Brien guided Rosemount to the knockout stages of the Westmeath SFC for the first time in several years. He previously spent many years coaching with Tullamore GAA club at underage and senior level.

The Brigid's management team alongside O'Brien last year included former Moate All Whites and Westmeath footballer John Murray. Also involved were Dermot Fitzgerald (a teacher at Our Lady’s Bower in Athlone), sports scientist Gary Flannery (now involved with the Roscommon senior football squad) and former Ireland basketball star Tim McCarthy.