Can Clann end St Brigid's reign as triple champions?
By Kieran Galvin
It's not often a team can dethrone a local rival of three different crowns. But that's the tantalising carrot that's dangling in front of Clann na nGael in this Sunday's Shannonside FM Roscommon SFC semi-final against mighty St Brigid's.
Clann are preparing for a daunting challenge against a St Brigid's team who are Roscommon, Connacht and All-Ireland champions at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday (throw-in: 6pm). Indeed, Brigid's have claimed the Roscommon senior football title for the past three years.
The other Roscommon SFC semi-final - Castlerea St Kevin's (conquerors of St Aidan's in the quarter-finals) v Western Gaels - also takes place at Hyde Park on Sunday (4.30pm). Castlerea and Western Gaels met in the 2009 county final, the last time the Fahey Cup did not head to Kiltoom.
No doubt, a victory on Sunday would be hugely sweet for Clann. There should be no lack of motivation as they strive to pull off a famous victory, though the odds appear to be stacked against them.
The Johnstown men were such a dominant force in the Roscommon and Connacht club scene in the 1990s, but they have been in the shadow of their Kiltoom neighbours in recent years.
Clann were unable to land the All-Ireland title in their glory years, falling at the final hurdle on five occasions.
However, St Brigid's became the first Roscommon club to win an All-Ireland senior club title earlier this year with that famous victory over Ballymun Kickhams. They certainly won't want to lose their titles at the hands of their neighbours on Sunday.
Interestingly, there are three major championship battles between Clann na nGael and St Brigid's this weekend. They meet in the U-14 FC Division 1 final in Ballyforan tonight (Friday) at 7pm, while the club's ladies teams do battle in the SFC semi-final on Sunday in Johnstown (2pm), where defending champions Brigid's will be strongly fancied.
In the eagerly-awaited men's clash, St Brigid's will be without defensive ace Peter Domican, who moved to Dubai recently, while Richard Blaine and Damien Kelleher are also abroad at present. There is also major doubt over the participation of Ian Kilbride due to an injury which may require surgery.
For Clann na nGael, the highly talented but injury-prone Cathal Shine is a doubt, as is Graham Pettit.
Jonathan Dunning has been in great form this year and the Clann attack could cause problems for the Brigid's defence. The likes of Matt Scally, Donal Shine (though he may line out at midfield), Darragh Pettit and Roscommon minor star Ultan Harney are also capable of doing damage on the scoreboard.
However, it's difficult to see Clann na nGael holding the main attacking threats in the Brigid's armoury, in particular Senan Kilbride and Frankie Dolan. In addition, the experience Brigid's have garnered from playing at a higher level is likely to prove crucial.
A somewhat depleted Brigid's were given a major scare by St Faithleach's in the quarter-finals, and they will surely be on their guard on Sunday.
Verdict: St Brigid's.
Padraig Pearse v Kilbride
Elsewhere, Padraig Pearses need to defeat Kilbride in this Sunday's relegation play-off (Knockcroghery, 2pm) in order to preserve their senior status. Pearses contested the county final against Brigid's last year, so relegation would be regarded as a crushing setback.
*See this week's Westmeath Independent for the views of both managers (Benny O'Brien of St Brigid's and Eamonn Harney of Clann na nGael) on Sunday's Roscommon SFC semi-final.