St Brigid's find extra gear as Pearses are denied again
St Brigid's 1-25 Pádraig Pearses 2-16 (AET)
By Eamon A. Donoghue
St Brigid's are Roscommon senior football champions again after an epic extra-time victory over Pádraig Pearses at King and Moffat Dr Hyde Park yesterday (Sunday).
In front of a small but boisterous crowd, the Kiltoom men retained the Fahey Cup after a final that will live long in the memory - a game of huge momentum swings, outrageous two-pointers, a dramatic late equaliser, and a decisive goal from Conor Hand in extra-time. When it mattered most, St Brigid found another gear.
In a repeat of last year's final that went to a replay, the high scoring reflects the attacking quality on show. This was the modern game at its best, but it was also a final defined by determination and by Brigid's seizing the key moments when they had the advantage of momentum.
Pearses forced extra-time with a stunning two-pointer off the outside of his right boot from substitute Tom Butler with moments remaining. This meant the sides were level at full-time (St Brigid's 0-18 Pearses 1-15) and we were heading for extra-time for the second year running between these sides.
It was Brigid's who took command in extra-time with Hand's goal sending them on their way to victory.
For Pearses, it is a second successive final defeat to their great rivals and it will hurt deeply, because for long periods they looked like ending St Brigid's reign. For Brigid's, it is another title that cements their status as the standard-bearers in Roscommon football.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Brigid's players and supporters before team captain Ruaidhrí Fallon lifted the Fahey Cup. To regain their title in such dramatic fashion meant everything.
For Pearses, it is cruel. They led for long periods and showed they belonged at the top table. But St Brigid's, with Conor Hand (scorer of 1-5 in a man of the match performance), Brian Stack and the O'Carroll brothers (Ben and Charlie) outstanding, found a way again.
The cold hard facts in this game show that Pearses, when they were 0-13 to 0-11 in the ascendancy in the third quarter, kicked three wides and an attempt into Conor Carroll’s arms. They scored just four times in the last 47 minutes (including extra-time) compared to St Brigid’s who scored 13 times during that period.
The Pearses goals came from defender Dave Murray and a penalty from midfielder Kenny, and they struggled all through the game and the championship to win enough possession around the middle sector. This is where they will need to improve next year, when they will hope the return of Conor Ryan from injury will make a big difference.
Meanwhile, the Kiltoom side will now turn their attention to the Connacht club championship and trying to retain their provincial crown.
Scorers - St Brigid’s: C Hand 1-5 (2tp); B O’Carroll 0-4 (1f); C O’Carroll (1tp) and S Cunnane (1tpf, 1tp) 0-4 each; B Nugent 0-2 (tp); B Derwin, R Fallon, E Nolan, S Kilbride, P Frost and B Stack 0-1 each. Pearses: E Colleran 0-5 (2tp); D Kenny 1-1 (1-0 pen); P Carey 0-4 (1tpf, 2f); D Murray 1-0; L Daly and T Butler (1tp) 0-2 each; J Tumulty and H Darcy 0-1 each.
St Brigid’s - Conor Carroll; Robbie Dolan, Pearse Frost, Micheál Sugrue; Ruaidhrí Fallon (captain), Brian Stack, Paul McGrath; Mark Daly, Shane Cunnane; Brian O’Hara Duggan, Conor Hand, Bobby Nugent; Ben O’Carroll, Ciarán Sugrue, Brian Derwin. Subs: Eddie Nolan for O’Hara Duggan (34 mins); Ronan Stack for McGrath (42); Charlie O’Carroll for Derwin (45); Senan Kilbride for Daly (60); Brian O’Hara Duggan for C Sugrue (start of extra-time); Ciarán Sugrue for Nugent (66); Ruairi Smith for M Sugrue (70); Paul McGrath for Hand (79).
Pádraig Pearses - Paul Whelan; Mark Richardson, Caelim Keogh, Jack Downey; Jack Nevin, Ronan Daly, David Murray; Conor Harley, Declan Kenny (captain); Keelan Kelly, Lorcán Daly, Adam McGreal; Eoin Colleran, Jack Tumulty, Paul Carey. Subs: Conor Lohan for Nevin (22 mins); Hubert Darcy for McGreal (55); John Price for L Daly (55); Tom Butler for Kelly (58); Niall Daly for Harley (60); Keelan Kelly for Richardson (66); Jack Nevin for Keogh (66); Lorcán Daly for Carey (78).
Referee - Dermot Lyons.