Brigid’s and Pearses tipped to set up final rematch

By Kevin Egan

After a fascinating round robin stage of the Roscommon SFC where there were several intriguing games, the quarter-final round was somewhat predictable – or at least it was once Pádraig Pearses extricated themselves from a tricky situation against Michael Glaveys.

Now both St Brigid’s and Pearses will hope that the track record of favourites prevailing continues for another week, with both sides expected to overcome Strokestown and Boyle respectively.

Pádraig Pearses are first into action against Boyle tomorrow (Saturday) in the Hyde (throw-in 4.30pm), and while they were comfortably superior to Fergal O’Donnell’s side when the two teams met in the group stages, Boyle have reinforced their panel with Luke McGrath back into the full-forward line and, more significantly, Enda Smith getting a full hour under his belt against Oran.

Smith showed flashes of his game-breaking potential in an otherwise low-key display in that game, and the way he opened up the Oran defence for the third Boyle goal proved that he was able to delve into his locker to come up with a big play when needed.

Niall O’Donnell had arguably his best game of the year at midfield which was a problem area for the club, while nine out of the 11 players that lined out from half-back up registered at least one score from play.

It’s hard to tell if the losses of Conor Ryan and Seán Canning will eventually come home to roost, or if Pearses have simply shrugged off their absence and carried on with no discernible effect. John Price took his excellent minor form into senior football with an impressive cameo role against Glaveys; Jack Nevin has made the wing back berth his own; Conor Lohan and Tom Butler will fight for a start and, defensively, Pearses look as good as they’ve ever been.

Like Boyle, the issue is the middle, as for all Declan Kenny’s leaping ability, Niall Heneghan’s sheer size caused them huge problems and O’Donnell will look to follow that roadmap this weekend. Such issues and the obvious potential that exists in players like Enda Smith and Daire Cregg to find another gear will provide hope for Boyle.

But given the choice between a side that almost always brings a high level of performance and one that has the potential to play to a high level, Pearses’ consistency makes them worthy favourites.

There was only a point between the sides when St Brigid’s last met Strokestown, but that 0-17 to 0-16 result was incredibly deceptive. Strokestown hit six out of seven attempts from outside the arc, they had just 14 shots in all, and 16 scores to 10 was a much more accurate reflection of how the game went.

Now we see Shane Cunnane returning to action – still no solid information if Paul McGrath is likely to feature – and even more than that, Conor Hand has gone from just coming off the bench in a couple of games to not just starting, but running the show from centre forward.

Strokestown, who added Athlone club man and Marist College coach Eoin Jordan to their management team earlier this year, are high on confidence after winning Roscommon and Connacht intermediate titles and following that up with narrow victories over Western Gaels and Michael Glaveys in the group.

Their best performance of the year was last time out against Castlerea but there is a sense that they just have too many fires to put out. It’s not inconceivable that Timmy Gibbons, who like his St Brigid’s counterpart Ruairí Smith is in the form of his life, might restrict Ben O’Carroll at least partially.

Conor Hand up against Colm Neary could be a fascinating battle between two lightning fast footballers that bring a lot to the table, and Colin Compton has surprised this reporter and many more with the ease with which he has adapted to a wing back role, having spent most of his career wearing black and amber jerseys with either 11 or 14 on the back.

Seán McDonnell is an interesting wild card and if Shane McGinley comes back in, he can be a handful – his sensational goal against Western Gaels showed his worth. But a lot of ships have to come in for Strokestown to get close, and even then, you’d still back St Brigid’s to find a way in Sunday’s game (Dr Hyde Park, 3.30).

Also this weekend St Dominic’s face a huge test in another game that is a repeat of a group fixture, up against Tulsk Lord Edwards on Saturday evening in Lisnamult (7pm) in the first of the two intermediate semi-finals.

Tulsk are a very balanced all-round side and while the star quality of players like Eoin McCormack, Daire Keenan and Keith Doyle gives the Doms a higher ceiling, a one or two-point margin either way is somewhere between likely and probable here.

It should be a little bit more straightforward for Éire Óg in their clash with St Michael’s at Ballinameen, where the side managed by former St Brigid’s goalkeeper James Martin has probably flown as high as they can go. Expect Éire Óg to advance to a final, where Niall Daly’s experience on the sideline will prove crucial.

Finally, Ballinameen should be too strong for Kilglass Gaels (who have Cormac Sheehy of St Brigid's at the helm) in their Junior A clash, while St Aidan’s will be expected to repeat their Tansey Cup final over Clann na nGael when the sides meet again in Knockcroghery (Sunday, 1.30pm).

Injury doubts around Tommy Morris and Conor Mulry could be a thumb on the scales for Clann, however, for whom senior veterans like Cathal Duignan, Shane Pettit, Dylan Sumner, Gavin McManus and Cathal Shine will be crucial in their bid to avenge that league result.