Brigid's keep Scotstown at bay to reach All-Ireland club football final
St. Brigid's duo, Paul McGrath and Eddie Nolan, with Max Maguire of Scotstown during Sunday's All-Ireland club senior football semi-final at Kingspan Breffni. Picture: INPHOJames Crombie
St. Brigid's are back in their second All-Ireland club football final in three seasons after holding Scotstown at bay to set up a date against Dingle in Croke Park in two weeks' time.
As Kingspan Breffni survived a couple of pitch inspections, St. Brigid's also lived dangerously, and it took a heroic defensive effort, which included goal-saving blocks from Ruaidhrí Fallon and Seán Trundle, to keep Anthony Cunningham's men ahead at the final whistle.
St. Brigid's managed to keep Rory Beggan's shooting on the periphery, which they will be happy with, but there are creases to iron out before they meet Dingle on the biggest date in the club calendar.
Their efficiency in front of goal wasn't hectic in the second half, while they also lost too much ball in the middle third towards the end of the match when Scotstown chased the game.
But semi-finals are all about winning, and Brigid's can prepare for the biggest date in the club calendar.
The only sour note were injuries picked up by Brian Stack and Mark Daly. While Stack played on after a heavy fall, Daly had to be replaced after falling awkwardly at the start of the second half.
St. Brigid’s established a 1-10 to 1-6 lead at half time, kicking the last five points of the half by punishing a number of Scotstown mistakes.
Brian Derwin grabbed a terrific sixth minute goal but Anthony Cunningham’s men were rocked back on their heels momentarily when Jack McCarron pounced for a 11th minute goal after St. Brigid’s were beaten to the break on their own kickout.
A two-pointer from Francis Maguire moved the Monaghan champions two points ahead after 18 minutes but pressure on Rory Beggan’s kickout alongside some excellent defending forced a number of turnovers that Brigid’s made hay from.
Midfielder Mícheál McCarville moved his side 1-6 to 1-5 ahead in the 24th minute but they wouldn’t trouble the scoreboard again for the remainder of the half.
A quickfire double from Paul McGrath was followed by an outrageous two-pointer from the right flank by Bobby Nugent before Nugent tagged on a free in first-half injury time to leave the Kiltoom-based side four points to the good.
A two-pointer from Conor Hand at the start of the second half stretched his side's advantage further, but it was only one of four scores that Brigid's could kick after the break.
There was never less than four points between the sides during a high-octane second period, but that would have been different only for Fallon and Trundle's heroics, with Fallon clearing the ball off the line and Trundle producing a brilliant block to deny Jack McCarron.
Bobby Nugent went to add a free and a two-point free, while substitute Charlie O'Carroll lifted the siege in injury time with a score after some terrific game management from the Connacht champions.
When Mícheál McCarville blazed over the bar a minute into injury time, Brigid's were back in the final where they will be hoping to make amends for their disappointment against Glen in January 2024.
ST. BRIGID’S: C. Carroll; P. Frost, S. Trundle, R. Dolan; R. Fallon (0-1), B. Stack, P. McGrath (0-2); S. Cunnane, E. Nolan (0-1); C. Sugrue (0-1), B. Nugent (0-7, one 0-2, one 0-2 free, three frees), M. Daly; B. O’Carroll (0-1), C. Hand (0-2, one 0-2), B. Derwin (1-0). Subs used: R. Stack for Daly (31 mins), C. O’Carroll (0-1) for B. O’Carroll (48 mins), S. Kilbride for Nugent (55 mins).
SCOTSTOWN: R. Beggan (0-1, one '45); R. O’Toole, D. McArdle, D. Murray; D. Hughes, D. Connolly, K. Hughes; M. McCarville (0-2), G. McPhillips; Max Maguire (0-1), S. Carey (0-1, a free), N. Sherlock (0-1); Mattie Maguire, J. McCarron (1-3, one free), F. Maguire (0-3, one 0-2). Subs used: C. McCarthy for Sherlock (half-time), T. Mallen for Mattie Maguire (46 mins).
Referee: B. Cawley (Kildare).
