Hodson Bay Hotel Group Roscommon SFC Group A
St. Brigid’s 1-12
Roscommon Gaels 0-10
Both sides may have been through to the knockout stages of the championship, but this repeat of the 2017 county final drew a big crowd to Lisnamult last Sunday. However, the outcome of the game was the same, as St. Brigid’s outplayed the home team who now face a difficult quarter-final against Pádraig Pearses next Sunday. Brigid’s are through to the semi-finals once more where they will play Strokestown or St. Faithleach’s.
In last year’s decider Roscommon Gaels’ lack of firepower cost them dearly and it was the same story in this match as the town team were indecisive and hesitant for most of the contest when a more direct approach might have been more productive. Liam McNeill’s team did score five points in a row in the final quarter but the game was already over as a contest at that stage as Brigid’s led by ten points (1-11 to 0-4).
On a fine but breezy day, the sides were evenly matched in the opening quarter. Points for the champions from Gearoid Cunniffe, Senan Kilbride (2, 1 free), and a peach from Brian Stack were matched by scores from Mark Healy (free), Cian Connolly (2 frees) and a fine effort from Bryan O’Gara, which saw the score at 0-4 apiece after 21 minutes.
But from there to half-time the Gaels seemed to disappear altogether as Brigid’s upped the ante. With Peter Domican, Ian Kilbride, Brian Stack, Eoin Sheehy and Senan Kilbride all playing well, Brigid’s tacked on five points without reply before the interval. Ian Kilbride kicked two mighty long-range points from play while Garvan Dolan (free), Senan Kilbride (free) and Eoin Sheehy were all on target and by half-time it was St. Brigid’s 0-9 Roscommon Gaels 0-4.
The Gaels needed a good start to the second half but instead it was Brigid’s who put the game to bed in the third quarter. In the 35th minute Eamon Cunnane was fouled in the large square and although Brian Stack’s spot kick was saved by James Featherston, the young county star followed in to lash the rebound to the net. Further points from Garvan Dolan (free) and Senan Kilbride saw the champions ten points clear by the 45th minute and it was over as a contest.
In fairness to the Gaels they kept trying, and had late points from Mark Nally (2, 1 free), Cian Connolly, David O’Gara and sub John Nolan, but Brigid’s were never in any real trouble and they ran out comfortable winners.
The Gaels will have to play better than this if they want to entertain any notions of going further in the championship, but Brigid’s seem to be coming into form at just the right time and that looks ominous for the rest.
St. Brigid’s: James Martin; Ronan Stack (0-1), Niall McInerney, Darragh Sheehy; Eoin Sheehy (0-1), Peter Domican, Ian Kilbride (0-2); Garvan Dolan (0-2, frees), Eddie Nolan; Eamon Cunnane, Brian Stack (1-1), Mark Daly; Gearoid Cunniffe (0-1), Senan Kilbride (0-4, 2 frees), Davy Cunniffe. Subs: Brian Derwin for D Cunniffe (56), Conor McNiece for Cunnane (59), George O’Hara for E Sheehy (59), Shane Furey for G Cunniffe (61).
Roscommon Gaels: James Featherston; Ronan Gleeson, Liam McNeela, Paul Gleeson; Cathal Dineen, David O’Gara (0-1), Kevin O’Gara; Bryan O’Gara (0-1), James McDermott; James O’Gara (0-1), Mark Nally (0-2), Richard Hughes; Cillian Egan, Mark Healy (0-1, free), Cian Connolly (0-3, frees). Subs: Tim Lambe for B O’Gara (4), John Nolan (0-1) for Egan (50), Mike McNeill for Connolly (53), Ollie Hannon for Dineen (59), Peter Gillooly for Hughes (61).
Referee: Paddy Neilan
