Goals prove pivotal for St. Brigid's and Boyle
Conor Hand was back to his best for St. Brigid's ans the reigning Roscommon and Connacht senior football champions got the better of Roscommon Gaels to set up a semi-finals meeting against Strokestown in two weeks' time. Picture: INPHO/Dan Clohessy
St. Brigid’s scored three second-half goals to see off Roscommon Gaels by 4-15 to 0-18 at Woodmount to remain on course to retain the Fahey Cup on Sunday afternoon.
The defending champions hit 4-14 from play, with Ben O’Carroll chipping in with 1-5 and Conor Hand grabbing 1-3.
Brigid’s were 1-10 to 0-7 ahead at half time, with O’Carroll’s goal proving pivotal.
The Gaels made a positive start to the second half, with points from Rory Carthy, Eoghan Carthy and Peter Gillooly leaving just three points between the teams.
They could have been level, only for St. Brigid's goalkeeper, Conor Carroll, to deny Rory Carthy with a smart save.
Brigid’s, who welcomed back Shane Cunnane for the second half, came down the other end and enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when Brian Stack’s effort, which looked to be going wide, deflected off Conor Grogan’s fingertips and ended up in the net.
To the Gaels’ credit, they recovered to leave it 2-10 to 0-14, thanks to a two-pointer from half-time substitute Sam Hannon.
However, goals from Conor Hand and Charlie O’Carroll sealed Brigid’s place in the last four where they will play Strokestown.
Earlier in the day, goals were also pivotal as Boyle got the better of Oran, 3-17 to 0-19, in Orchard Park, Elphin.
Cormac Regan’s early two-pointer gave the underdogs an early boost, but Cathal Feely’s goal in the 16th minute ensured that Boyle were ahead at the break, 1-6 to 0-7.
Cian McKeon was superb for Boyle in the second half, scoring a 45th minute goal on his way to 1-3 from play, while Tadhg McKenna also impressed at wing-back.
But a couple of two-pointers from Darragh Walsh in quick succession left Oran very much in the hunt at the three-quarter stage as they trailed by just three points.
Just when it looked like Oran were well-positioned to make their bid for a big win in the knockout stages, Boyle killed off the game through Roch Hanmore’s 51st minute goal, and Fergal O’Donnell’s side duly closed out the game comfortably to seal a seven-point win.
In the McNulty’s Furniture Intermediate Football Championship, Tulsk set up a semi-final meeting against St. Dominic’s, thanks to their best performance of the season that procured a 2-17 to 1-8 victory against Creggs at Enfield.
Thomas O’Rourke kicked 0-7 in the opening half as Liam McNeill’s charges built up a 0-12 to 0-1 buffer at the break.
A Mark Dowd goal on the resumption gave Creggs hope, and they were given further encouragement when Shane Dowd kicked a two-pointer to leave just five points between the teams.
But Tulsk powered their way to victory, thanks to goals from Daniel Connolly and David McNamara to set up a last four berth against their familiar foes from Knockcroghery.
In the King and Moffatt Junior A Football Championship, Kilglass Gaels survived a major scare against Boyle B before progressing on a scoreline of 2-9 to 2-8.
Pierce Bolger is on FIRE🔥
— Clubber (@clubber) September 20, 2026
1-5 inside 20 minutes for the @Kilglass_Gaels man with a pair of two pointers making up the bulk of it, great kicking from that man so far👏#ClubberTV📺 pic.twitter.com/Z2UC1ujx79
Cormac Sheehy’s side were cruising as Leo Cox and Pierce Bolger found the net in the first half.
After 34 minutes, Bolger took his tally to 1-6 and Kilglass looked home and hosted with a 2-9 to 0-3 lead.
Incredibly, they wouldn’t score again as two goals inside a minute from substitute Shane Carroll and Darren O’Connor hauled Boyle back into contention.
It took a great save from Kilglass goalkeeper Declan Durkin to deny Dylan East Boyle’s third goal, and even though a two-pointer from East was followed by frees from O’Connor, Carroll and Gavin O’Connor, the North Roscommon men could never get level, and Kilglass survived.
*
Pádraig Pearses v Boyle
St. Brigid’s v Strokestown
Éire Óg v St. Michael’s
St. Dominic’s v Tulsk Lord Edwards
Ballinameen v Kilglass Gaels
St. Aidan’s v Clann na nGael B
