McGrath’s delight as Brigid’s ladies seize chance of glory

By Kevin Egan

It’s a safe bet that when the half-time whistle sounded in last Saturday's Roscommon LGFA Senior Championship final, nearly every supporter would have looked at the score (2-5 to 0-4) and remarked on the similarity to the scoreline at the same stage in 2024. Last year, Clann trailed by 2-5 to 1-1 at half-time and turned that around into an incredible county final win.

Two Kate Nolan frees after half-time were an immediate indicator that this year’s game was going to follow a different script, and once Áine O’Brien set up Sarah O’Rourke for St Brigid’s third goal of the game, the train was headed down a very different track.

“We've all had many years waiting for this result today and after last year's result, we weren't going to let this get away from us,” said Áine McGrath afterwards, declaring that the team’s mindset was completely different in 2025.

“Last year we didn't know how good we were. We played well in the first half and we couldn't believe it at the time and the nerves got to us, thinking 'Oh God, we're ahead'. This year we knew we could play so when we got ahead, we kept going.

“When we saw the forwards converting in the second half, it put everyone else at ease. That's where the nerves come from, you're attacking but the scores aren't going up on the scoreboard. Today they were, and it was surprising to feel that comfortable, but we could just sense that we were in a different place.”

McGrath herself took a key role in laying down a few big markers in that regard. In the first half alone she won four statement turnovers, making the full-back line her own domain up against an inside-line from Clann na nGael that had been nothing short of devastating in their semi-final win over St. Dominic’s.

“Everyone was very tight in the backline, you always felt that if you didn't get the ball, the girl behind you would. That's what gives you the courage to get out in front, it's a team effort,” McGrath said.

There was courage on the sideline too. Kate Nolan excelled in her usual role at midfield in St Brigid’s semi-final win over Boyle . But Niall Mackey and his selectors changed what was facing Clann by lining Nolan out at full-forward, with her sister Marian dropping back to play at midfield. It was a brave move, but one that paid off on both fronts as Marian took the lead in the trench battle while every time Kate took possession up front, there was a collective intake of breath as the whole ground knew that something special could happen.

Mackey knew it too and what was meant to be a short-term plan to disrupt Clann turned into a masterstroke, culminating in Kate’s stunning goal.

“It did come as a surprise when the team was announced to us during the week,” McGrath admitted.

“The idea was to throw her in and see how she goes, but she thrived, Kate thrives anywhere. We ended up leaving her there longer than expected, but Niall's very good at going off the plan, which is often needed in a final.”

The bigger plan for this Brigid’s group has always been to get back to the top of the tree. Ever since Brian and Tom Lennon guided many of these players to an intermediate final win over Boyle five years ago, supporters around the county expected this day to come, and most importantly, so too did the players.

“Five years ago we won the intermediate, I was only young then and since then we've seen loads more young and better girls coming up, you knew we'd get there. But then, you can have many years on top and never get the win, so this felt like now or never this summer,” McGrath added.