Brigid’s begin Connacht quest as Sligo champs head for the Hyde

The last time St Brigid’s won the Roscommon senior football title (2020), the Covid-19 pandemic denied them the opportunity to compete for Connacht club honours.

But having recently regained the Fahey Cup - consigning Boyle to another near miss in the process - the men from Kiltoom and Cam have the chance to build on their success at provincial level this year.

On Sunday, St Brigid’s will take on Sligo champions Coolera-Strandhill in their Connacht club SFC quarter-final at Dr Hyde Park (throw-in 2pm).

Coolera-Strandhill defeated first-time finalists St Molaise Gaels in this year’s Sligo SFC final. Tourlestrane had won the previous seven titles but that sequence was finally broken this year.

Niall Murphy and Kealan Cawley are among the noted Coolera-Strandhill players, while former Kilmacud Crokes defender Ross O’Carroll is also part of their squad.

Coolera-Strandhill are jointly managed by Enda Mitchell and Adrian McPartland. Mitchell was part of the management team of this year’s Sligo U20 team which reached the All-Ireland final.

St Brigid’s have considerable pedigree in the Connacht club SFC, and they sit joint third (alongside Castlebar Mitchels) in the roll of honour with four provincial crowns. Indeed, only Corofin and neighbours Clann na nGael have won more Connacht titles.

In contrast, Sligo clubs have really struggled to make an impact in the Connacht championship over recent years. The only Sligo club to win the Connacht senior title is St Mary’s and their last such success came back in 1983.

Ballina Stephenites face Fulham Irish of London in the other Connacht quarter-final, while newly crowned Galway champions Corofin and Mohill of Leitrim are the other teams competing for Connacht glory this year.

Meanwhile, the St Brigid’s third team will face Boyle in the Roscommon Junior B football final on Saturday (throw-in 2.30 at Mulhern Park, Fuerty).