An emptiness that will linger for some time

An eerily familiar narrative for St. Brigid’s.

Just when they seemed destined to emulate their heroes of 2013, Dingle prised away Brigid’s fingers on the Andy Merrigan Cup to leave Anthony Cunningam’s men with an emptiness in their stomach that will take some time to shift.

This was worse than two years ago when Glen came with a late show of defiance to leave Brigid’s crestfallen.

This time, there was no time to respond when substitute Mikey Geaney kicked the winning score into Hill 16 in the second minute of injury time in extra time.

Soon, An Poc ar Buile was audible around Croke Park as the realisation dawned that St. Brigid’s had left another All-Ireland title behind them.

Or did they? Did Anthony Cunningham’s men play consistently well enough over the 60 minutes and the 20 minutes of extra time that followed?

The first thing that comes to mind is brilliant individual performances rather than the collective.

Ruaidhrí Fallon produced the game of his life, crowned by a personal haul of 1-6. His highlights reel included a two-pointer for the ages to send the game to extra time. Surely, a future Roscommon captain in the making.

Conor Hand teased and tormented the Dingle defence, as only he can. Shane Cunnane and Brian Stack had their moments, while Pearse Frost, despite his black card, never gave Dingle’s talisman, Paul Geaney, a moment’s peace.

But there were other St. Brigid’s players below par. In an All-Ireland final, especially when you’re from Roscommon, you need everyone firing on all cylinders.

From the opening whistle, it always looked like Brigid’s had to work so much harder for their scores. Dingle, like all Kerry teams, made things look that little bit easier.

And yet, Brigid’s had put themselves in a position to win the match. Ruaidhrí Fallon’s 38th minute goal should have been the catalyst to lean on the experience of two years ago against Glen to close out the deal.

Instead, Brigid’s were outplayed from there until the end of regulation time, and it was only Fallon’s score for the ages that sent an epic game to extra time.

With both teams out on their feet, there were twists and turns alongside decisions by referee Martin McNally that left both teams perplexed, but that comes with the territory.

Still, Eddie Nolan will feel he should have had a foul when Brigid’s were so close to plunging the dagger into Dingle hearts. Luck deserted the Roscommon champions as well at times.

Dingle appeared to be floundering first when Shane Cunnane and substitute Charlie O’Carroll left his side on the cusp of victory. Once again, a second chance to show that the lessons from those final minutes against Glen had been learned. Not so, as Brigid’s tired minds and bodies resulted in mistakes that they’ll regret for some time.

The ease with which Tom O’Sullivan was allowed to kick two scores in jig time to bring the sides level, not to mention the Dingle turnover that procured Mikey Geaney’s winning score. They were seminal moments that Brigid’s will look back on, and wonder could they have done things differently.

Of course, the age profile of this St. Brigid’s team means that they’re well capable of coming back and setting the record straight.

But it’s never that simple. To lose two All-Ireland finals in relatively quick succession by a point will gnaw away at young minds. And to get back to an All-Ireland final, given all the obstacles that must be overcome, requires a mental strength that Brigid’s will have to dig deep to find.

But if any team can do it, this St. Brigid’s team can. They’re intelligent and honest enough to accept that they’ve left another All-Ireland title behind them.

Naturally, it will take some getting over, but they must make a pact — stick together and find a way to get back up on the horse and go again.