Mixed emotions as St Brigid’s and Pearses prepare for rematch

Mixed emotions were on show from the Pádraig Pearses and St Brigid’s management teams after last Sunday’s drawn Roscommon SFC final at Dr Hyde Park, with Frank Canning of Pearses summing things up succinctly.

“I'm elated on one hand and disappointed on the other,” said the Portumna native, who saw his side miss more chances at the end, but also had cause to be very fearful in the early stages.

“After ten minutes, we thought we were going to be 'bet' out the gate. So, look, the two teams put on a great spectacle and fair play to them," continued Frank.

“Look, you'd like extra time if you won it,” was how he felt about the 2025 Roscommon SFC title being decided this coming Saturday (2.30pm) as opposed to after 20 extra minutes.

Since last Sunday's final, Frank has suffered a family bereavement with the death of his father Seán, who was laid to rest in Portumna earlier today (Friday).

For his part, St Brigid's manager Anthony Cunningham was quite clear that he was pleased to take stock and come back to the Hyde this weekend.

“With injuries and knocks, it's hard going there. So we're delighted to have got a second chance,” said Cunningham.

“(The game) had everything and they asked us a huge amount of questions and we responded. We were lucky to get the goal with Robbie, a great finish.

“The equaliser from Brian (Stack) at the end was fantastic, he’s a brilliant player, he has everything you can ask for. It's anybody's game again the next day.

“They're fantastic players, both sets of players there. You have to admire them,” continued the St Brigid’s manager.

“These guys have fought it out between themselves from underage up right through, this Pearses team and Brigid’s team, so I expected nothing more or less than that.

“Sometimes too many people run down county set ups and county players for Roscommon, but they've always been at the top table. They were just unlucky over a couple of years that they didn't make that final breakthrough. But the likes of the Dalys and Conor Ryan, the likes of Brian Stack and Ruaidhrí Fallon, they're as good as what's in any club in any county.”

Canning too was full of praise for the players at the end of a tumultuous contest where the quality was undeniable.

“They’re two good teams. It's a credit to the players, it's nothing to do with the management. It's a credit to the 36 or 37 lads that were out there today and all the subs as well.

“It's a great advertisement for Roscommon club footballers. There's good players in Roscommon. So, I wish the new manager well and hopefully he picks the right players to represent Roscommon next year.”

Given that a huge number of those players will be drawn from these two panels, a lot of them have other matters to attend to before they’ll give any thoughts to pulling on a primrose and blue jersey just yet.