St. Brigid’s dumped out of Connacht club championship in dramatic fashion
Mark Daly tries to prevent Tomó Culhane from winning possession during Sunday's Connacht Club SFC semi-final between St. Brigid's and Salthill-Knocknacarra at ECC Pearse Stadium, Salthill. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
St. Brigid’s bid to win successive Connacht Club Senior Football Championships went up in smoke as the Roscommon champions lost their way completely in the second half after erecting what looked like a match-winning platform during the opening 30 minutes.
Damien Mulligan’s side were 1-7 to 0-2 ahead after 25 minutes, playing the game on their terms and looking a class apart.
Even at half time, despite the swirling Salthill breeze, it was hard to see how Brigid’s could be hauled back after leading by six points, having been so utterly dominant.
But they made a plethora of errors after the break in the face of a more aggressive Salthill-Knocknacarra challenge, lost the kickout battle, and fell to a late sucker punch when Salthill-Knocknacarra wing-back Mark Mannion kicked a two-pointer for the ages to edge the home side in front for the first time since the third minute.
Conor Carroll had a chance to win it at the death, but his attempt from a two-point free hit the post. Paul McGrath’s rebound was blocked by Salthill-Knocknacarra goalkeeper, Ruairi Lavelle, and Brigid’s hopes of retaining their title were gone.
Defensively, St. Brigid’s were excellent in the first half with Ruairi Smith keeping tabs on Rob Finnerty, as Robbie Dolan, Micheál Sugrue and Robbie Dolan won some big turnovers.
Aaron Mannion got Salthill-Knocknacarra up and running after three minutes, but Brigid’s dominance soon took root.
A mistake by Evan Wynne gifted Brian Derwin a point before Shane Cunnane judged a two-point free into the wind to perfection.
When Dolan won the race to possession ahead of Tomó Culhane in the 14th minute, a fine team move resulted in a score for Ben O’Carroll.
Four minutes later, the visitors struck a decisive blow. Lavelle’s kickout was gobbled up by Conor Hand, and, despite having O’Carroll in support, the number 11 rolled the ball into the net.
A two-pointer from play by O’Carroll embellished Brigid’s excellent performance further, but points from Matthew Thompson and Finnerty gave their side a sliver of hope.
St. Brigid’s made more mistakes in the opening exchanges of the second half than they did during the whole of the first half.
Points from half-time substitute Cillian O’Toole and Finnerty (free) signalled the home side’s intent, and although Brian Derwin kicked his third point of the game, the Salthill-Knocknacarra juggernaut kept on rumbling.
Daniel O’Flaherty, and a brace points from the excellent Cathal Sweeney left two between them before Ronan Stack and Finnerty swapped points.
With Conor Hand and Ben O’Carroll tied down by the Salthill-Knocknacarra defence, a tired Brigid’s team began to run out of ideas as their error count increased, despite Eddie Nolan making an impact off the bench.
Brian Conlon, who had the goal at his mercy, and Finnerty brought the sides level but Ben O’Carroll, with only his side’s third point of the half, nudged his side back in front from a free.
After Tomó Culhane dropped a two-point free attempt short, Mannion kicked an incredible two-pointer to hand his side a lead they richly deserved three minutes into injury time.
But there was still time for more drama.
Carroll’s attempt for salvation hit the post, and Brigid’s were out, wondering how they let a game they were in control of 45 minutes earlier slip from their grasp.
SALTHILL-KNOCKNACARRA: R. Lavelle; D. Conneely, D. Kiely, E. Wynne; C. Sweeney (0-2), A. Mannion (0-2), M. Mannion (0-2, one 0-2); J. Maher, M. Kitt; M. Mullery, M. Thompson (0-1), P. Kitt; C. Finnerty, R. Finnerty (0-4, one free), T. Culhane. Subs used: D. O’Flaherty (0-1) for Kitt (23 mins), B. Conlon (0-1) for C. Finnerty (half-time), C. O’Toole (0-1) for Mullery (half-time), D. Hoare for Kitt (51 mins), R. Walzer for Conlon (60 mins).
ST. BRIGID’S: C. Carroll; R. Dolan, R. Smith, M. Sugrue; R. Fallon, B. Stack, R. Stack (0-1); M. Daly, S. Cunnane (0-2, one 0-2 free); B. O’Hara Duggan, C. Hand (1-0), B. Nugent; B. O’Carroll (0-4, one 0-2, one free), C. Sugrue, B. Derwin (0-3). Subs used: E. Nolan for Sugrue (37 mins), P. McGrath for Cunnane (41 mins), C. O’Carroll for Nugent (54 mins).
Referee: P Lydon (Mayo).
