Halpin’s late heroics help St. Barry’s survive
St. Barry's Eoghan Diffley scored 1-6 as St. Barry's ensured they wil lspend a second year at the intermediate grade.
A Pauric Halpin two-point free in the fourth minute of injury time ensured St. Barry's would be playing intermediate football in 2026.
The defeat is a huge blow for Kilbride as 25 years after claiming the county senior title, they have suffered relegation to the Junior ranks.
Eoghan Diffley’s opening half tally of 1-4, which included a seventh minute penalty, saw his side lead 1-8 to 0-7 at the interval.
Emmet Burke extended that advantage to five, but Kilbride rattled off a half dozen scores without reply, including a brace for Conor Devaney to lead after 52 minutes. Devaney’s late black card was a huge blow although a Kevin Battles free gave his side the edge as the game ticked into injury time.
But, Trevor Murtagh was fouled by Albert Looby, who was subsequently sent off, with Halpin holding his nerve to spell delight for St. Barry’s and heartbreak for Kilbride.
*Full report in next Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
