Final pairings confirmed in club championships

St. Brigid’s, Éire Óg and St. Aidan’s all booked county final berths on a busy Sunday afternoon of club football.

St. Brigid’s powered to 3-22 to 2-8 triumph over Strokestown to set up a tantalising county final rematch with Pádraig Pearses on Sunday, October 18th.

Strokestown led the contest 2-6 to 0-11 after Colm Neary’s two-pointer but St. Brigid’s assumed complete control thereafter, kicking 2-10 without reply to canter to victory. St. Brigid’s conceded just three scores in the second half as they produced a powerful final quarter to lay down a marker ahead of two weeks’ time.

There was little indication that this contest would turn out as it did in the early stages. A Bobby Nugent two-pointer helped St. Brigid’s take an early lead but Strokestown were proving game with Colm Neary impressing.

A Conor Hand score pushed St. Brigid’s 0-5 to 0-3 in front but Strokestown struck the game’s first meaningful blow as Sean McDonnell punched to the net after Keith Murphy’s initial effort was half blocked.

Pearse McGinley’s side struck again when Shane McGinley was brought down inside the large rectangle before the corner forward coolly slotted the resulting penalty.

This helped Strokestown lead 2-3 to 0-5 but St. Brigid’s kicked 0-5 on the spin including a Shane Cunnane two-point free to lead 0-10 to 2-3 at half time. Strokestown emerged with renewed vigour and Neary’s two-pointer gave them cause for optimism.

But, St. Brigid’s simply moved through the gears as in the 41st minute Ben O’Carroll saw his ferocious effort saved by Niall Curley before the ball deflected back off the unfortunate Dylan Owens and into the net.

From there St. Brigid’s cut loose as Charlie O’Carroll came off the bench and kicked 1-3 while Conor Hand punched holes time and again with his searing runs from deep. Shane McGinley ended his side’s 25 minute scoreless spell but Ben O’Carroll rubbed salt in the Strokestown wounds with a composed right footed finish to the bottom corner.

Éire Óg powered their way into their fourth McNulty’s Furniture sponsored Intermediate Football Championship final in five years with a comprehensive victory against St. Michael’s at Davonna Park, Ballinameen.

The final scoreline of 2-18 to 0-8 didn’t flatter Brendan Greene’s side, who could afford to kick 14 wides and still prevail at their leisure.

Conor Cox ended up with 0-13, including five two-pointers, while second-half goals from Jason Doory and Jamesie Greene rounded off a fine team performance for last year’s beaten finalists.

Ruadhan Henry kicked the game’s opening two-pointer inside a minute, but that’s as good as it got for the North Roscommon side as Éire Óg, aided by their midfield dominance and greater physicality across the pitch, probed for scores.

By the midway mark, they were 0-11 to 0-5 ahead, and when Doory pounced for the opening goal in the 37th minute, which was followed by a second green flag from Greene 15 minutes later, Éire Óg could start thinking about a county final against Tulsk in three weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, St. Aidan’s booked their spot in the King and Moffatt Junior A Football Championship with a 1-16 to 1-14 win over Clann na nGael.

St. Aidan’s powered 1-11 to 0-3 ahead at the break at a windswept Knockcroghery. Rory Coyle gave his side the perfect start as he bagged 1-2 inside the opening seven minutes, as he slotted a penalty he won himself before landing a two-pointer.

Dylan Earle slotted a two-pointer for Clann but two further efforts from outside the arc by Gavin Meares ensured they led by 11 points at half time.

With the strength of the breeze, an 11 point lead was not insurmountable and Ian Harney illustrated that point with an early two-pointer in the final period. Yet, St. Aidan’s went blow for blow with Clann for most of the third quarter.

But, with their campaign on the line Clann piled forward as another Harney two-pointer cut the gap to six points. Shane Byrne increased St. Aidan’s lead but Clann came roaring back as sub Cathal Shine was fouled for a penalty and although Nigel Kelly saved Harney’s effort, the lively attacker slid in to net the rebound.

Another Harney two-pointer slashed St. Aidan’s lead to just two points but St. Aidan’s won the game’s final kickout and played keep ball thereafter to set up a fascinating final against Ballinameen.