Latest rematch should be one to stir the soul

It’s hard to imagine a county senior football final with so much riding on it.

St. Brigid’s and Pádraig Pearses have shared six out of the last seven county titles between them. A third meeting in a final this decade, including last year’s replay, will enhance either club’s legacy at a time when both flagship teams are riding the crest of a wave.

For the neutral, it’s far from a case of shrugging the shoulders, bemoaning the familiarity attached to such a big game. They know that something special could be in store when Dermot Lyons throws in the ball at 2 p.m. next Sunday.

Yes, Pearses have yet to beat St. Brigid’s in a final but everyone knows that they’re the one team capable of derailing the Kiltoom juggernaut.

In other words, it’s a decider that could slide either way, most likely defined by the smallest of margins.

Two brilliant football teams with quality in every line of the pitch will prick up the ears of a national audience. Certainly, there will be more than a passing interest in the likes of Maigh Cuilinn, Garrymore and Castlebar Mitchels, even though they have to take care of local matters first.

Both teams’ respective paths to the final haven’t veered away from previous narratives. St. Brigid’s, led by the brilliant Ben O’Carroll and in recent games Conor Hand, have relied on their footballing intelligence and ability, and swatted aside opponents at their leisure.

Pearses, on the other hand, have gone through their annual pilgrimage, cleansed their soul, and found out that their yearning to be the best is as strong as it ever has been. They were brought to extra time by Michael Glaveys and Boyle and still unearthed their infamous resolve, and no shortage of quality in the big moments, to prevail.

It’s a film we’ve seen before.

Despite making their run to the final look easier, Brigid’s know that all bets are off next Sunday, given what Pearses are likely to bring to the table.

If Mother Nature behaves, we will have a brilliant final because these teams know no other way. Last year’s drawn game brought out the best of them before Conor Carroll proved to be the difference in the replay, making three huge saves over the hour.

Once again, it came down to small margins.

What will decide it is anyone’s guess. Brigid’s will feel that they have unfinished business given the way the All-Ireland final against Dingle panned out in January.

But they’ll be conscious not to put the cart before the horse, given the way Pearses dethroned them at the quarter-final stage in 2024 after Brigid’s had fallen short in their bid to win the Andy Merrigan Cup against Glen at the start of the year.

Seán Trundle is a huge loss to the defending champions, but, arguably, not having Conor Ryan and Seán Canning asking questions of the St. Brigid’s defence, which wasn’t always assured against Strokestown during the recent semi-final, will be more keenly felt.

With Paul McGrath and Eddie Nolan making their first appearances of the season on Sunday week last, however, there is a sense that Brigid’s are getting the band back together at just the right time. In that regard, Shane Cunnane's timely return from an elbow injury, and the excellent form he has subsequently displayed, is another huge source of encouragement for the champions. 

When Damien Mulligan’s side were struggling against Strokestown in the opening half, McGrath and Brian Derwin were catapulted into the fray, while Charlie O’Carroll made another huge scoring impact when introduced. It made for ruthless viewing.

But Pearses will point to Adam McGreal’s 2-2 salvo against Boyle as evidence that they have plenty of game-changers too. Throw in Pearses’ efficiency in recent games, where they have only kicked two wides in over 160 minutes of championship action, and it’s easy to see why Brigid’s will be on their guard.

Despite the danger that Pearses pose, however, it’s hard to go against the champions. More has to go right for the challengers and, at this time of year, that’s a hard sell.

There will be physicality, there will be chaos but, more importantly, there will be no shortage of quality.

A final to savour has no reason to disappoint.

Verdict: St. Brigid’s