St. Brigid's brilliance rewarded in Roscommon Herald Club Football Championship Team of the Year
Joint St. Brigid's captains, Paul McGrath and Brian Stack, receive the Fahey Cup from Roscommon GAA Chairperson, Brian Carroll, and Tim Hayes, Managing Director, Hodson Bay Hotel.
After a senior, intermediate and junior A Championships that produced no shortage of thrills, spills and drama, the Roscommon Herald Team of the Championship has been chosen.
The team incorporates all three championships, which meant competition for places was at an all time high. There were plenty of debates and discussions surrounding this one so without further ado here are the 15 players who have been chosen as best on show.
Despite Paul Whelan and Patrick Gaynor both enjoying fine campaigns, Carroll gets the nod following his performances in both county finals. His kickouts were a key weapon for St. Brigid’s in the campaign but that came to the fore even more in the drawn county final.
Then his three top class saves, particularly the acrobatic leap to deny Eoin Colleran in the replay was instrumental in ensuring the Fahey Cup is in the possession of St. Brigid’s.
Richardson’s performances summed up Pearses’ year as he rose to every challenge especially come knockout time. A Man of the Match display against Oran was followed by a terrific showing against Boyle, where he performed excellently against Daire Cregg.
Pearses’ dominance of St. Faithleach’s in the county semi final meant his workload was reduced before he battled tigerishly against Ben O’Carroll for just over two hours, only allowing the St. Brigid’s ace to bag 0-2 from play during that time.
Stack was once more a model of consistency in this year’s campaign as he rose to the occasion when needed most. After a wasteful first half against Clann na nGael in the semi final, St. Brigid’s found themselves in a hole.
However, Stack took it upon himself to drive his side forward as he stamped his authority all over the contest. Then his performance in the first county final was laced with quality and determination. A pivotal piece of the St. Brigid’s jigsaw.
What a year Colm Neary is having? From being a shining light in what was a subpar inter county campaign for Roscommon to being front and centre in Strokestown’s march back to the top tier, Neary has certainly been front and centre.
His versatility is key to this Strokestown side as he can win his own ball in the middle third, break up attacks and tear through opposition defences. A quality operator.
The Strokestown captain delivered the goods when needed most as he was named Player of the Match following a terrific display in the county final win over Éire Óg.
Although he stated himself after the game that he wasn’t troubling the scoreboard as much as he would like earlier in the campaign, his ability to produce moments to help steer Strokestown back on track, particularly against Fuerty and Éire Óg, means he could not be ignored.
What a year for the Éire Óg half back. Crawley fits the modern game perfectly as his ability to win primary possession, time his runs from deep, kick a score and earn turnovers were vital in Éire Óg progressing through to this year’s intermediate decider.
He helped his side overcome some sticky moments against St. Michael’s in the county semi final while his performance, particularly in the second half against Strokestown, was one filled with defiance.
Although he spent time in the half forward line, McGrath’s most effective work was done in his own half. The St. Brigid’s joint captain stood up for his side in the county final replay while much of what McGrath does during a championship campaign, doesn’t fill the stats sheet but is still crucial to his side’s success.
Although Paddy Gavin, Tom Lennon and Sean Mullooly are unlucky to miss out in the defence, McGrath deserves his spot.
Even though Conor Ryan claimed a Connacht U-20 medal and a senior club title in 2024, it feels as if the young Pearses man has brought his game to another level this year.
Even though he was his side’ best performer in his side’s opening round loss to St. Faithleach’s, Ryan took his game to another level thereafter as he was majestic against Clann na nGael in a crucial round two game. From there, he never looked back.
Although Declan Kenny, Cian Glennon and Eddie Nolan contributed to their side’s respective championship runs, Niall Heneghan was the second best performing midfielder in the county during the championship.
Out of the four Roscommon Herald Team of the Week’s that he was eligible for, Heneghan was selected on three of them. Heneghan has stepped up to the plate and it will be interesting to see can he now make the step-up to senior intercounty level?
The Roscommon U-20 footballer showed his class as he helped St. Croan’s complete an immediate return to the intermediate ranks. His ability to win turnovers coupled with his engine and poise in front of the posts are major assets for his side.
In the county final, with Ballinameen only six back and the game in a lull period, Collins showed his class by nailing an inspirational two-pointer. He brings an X factor that St. Croan’s will need come the Connacht championship.
Pádraig Pearses don’t come so close to retaining the Fahey Cup without Paul Carey. Without Carey’s late tour de force against Boyle, the reigning champions would have been sent packing at the last eight stage.
It is also easy to forget how vital he was in Pearses overcoming Oran, kicking 0-8 between the 57th and 75th minutes. Carey’s talent has been obvious for quite some time, but his leadership qualities have stood out most this campaign.
The Pádraig Pearses flyer took his game to the next level during this campaign as he added potent finishing to his already electrifying pace. It is easy to forget how important the second round game against Clann was for Pearses after their defeat to St. Faithleach’s. The pressure was on and Tumulty rose to it, scoring 1-4 and grabbing four assists.
From there on in, he continued that rich vein of form, impressing against St. Faithleach’s in the county semi final while his performance in the replayed county final pushed him over the edge for inclusion here.
Although O’Carroll didn’t quite enjoy the homecoming he desired when his first game back from Stateside saw St. Brigid’s suffer a shock defeat to Michael Glaveys, he quickly found his feet.
His display against Roscommon Gaels was one of the best produced by anyone in this year’s campaign as he buried 1-8 in a virtuoso display. He showed great hands to set up Robbie Dolan’s goal in the first county final while he stepped up a gear in the replayed affair.
Nobody in Roscommon has benefitted more from the two-point arc more than Conor Cox. The Éire Óg attacker kicked 0-64 in this year’s championship as the West Roscommon side progressed through to their third county final in four years.
Cox managed a whopping 21 two-pointers in this year’s campaign as he produced some outrageous scores and proved unstoppable at times. An easy inclusion.
Although he made a huge impact when lining out in the half forward line in the replayed county final, most of Nugent’s best work came closer to goal. He tortured the Roscommon Gaels defence in the county quarter final, scoring 0-6 while although he has been stationed closer to goal, he has still been able to affect the game out the field, winning turnovers and using his passing repertoire to unlock opposition defences.
Although Ciaráin Lennon, Diarmuid Murtagh and Eoin Colleran are all unfortunate, Nugent is worthy of inclusion.
