St. Brigid’s preparing for ‘serious challenge’
WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION: St. Brigid's joint captain, Paul McGrath, is hoping that Sunday next will be another famous day in his club's illustrious history. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
There is something of a novel feel to Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland senior club football semi-final as a Monaghan and Roscommon club will meet at the penultimate stage for just the second time ever, and for the first time since February 1990, when St. Brigid’s and Scotstown collide at Kingspan Breffni (throw-in is at 3 p.m.).
After Scotstown finally ended their 36-year wait for provincial glory by taking out Kilcoo in a high-octane Ulster decider, St. Brigid’s joint captain Paul McGrath believes that the Monaghan side can win matches in multiple different ways, while the threat posed by Rory Beggan’s long-range place kicking is something he acknowledges the Connacht champions must be wary of.
“I think they bring everything to the table, to be fair to them. They are a serious side. If you watched the Kilcoo game, you will see they can win a game when it’s down and dirty or they can win a game of football. It will be a serious challenge. They will probably be looking at us as well and thinking we will be a good challenge too. I think it will be a class game.
“(Rory) Beggan with the two pointers will be something to watch out for. It is something we have to keep an eye on. He is unique in the game, and he is an unbelievable footballer. He is a big addition to them,” McGrath noted.
Although St. Brigid’s winning their 19th county title or their second Connacht crown in three years hasn’t captured the imagination of the national public in the same manner as Scotstown’s recent provincial success, McGrath highlights that his side’s campaign, in particular their journey through Roscommon, has ensured that St. Brigid’s are battle-hardened ahead of Sunday’s game.
“The county title means everything. I think it is because of all the pressure and the build-up. There are so many unbelievable teams in Roscommon, and that makes it so hard to win.
“I think it is a bit disrespected outside of Roscommon but everyone in Roscommon knows how hard it is (to win). It is one of the toughest championships in the country. Anyone who comes out of Roscommon has a serious chance at a Connacht title, and possibly going further,” McGrath claimed.
The word “culture” gets bandied about a lot but the simple truth is that well-run clubs are often the ones who are challenging for titles and lifting silverware.
When McGrath is asked about what makes St. Brigid’s culture so strong, he pauses for thought before stating that the constant desire for improvement, both on and off the field, has helped the club become what it is today.
“Every club has a community-ness to it, but I would say it is what is instilled in you from when you are younger by players that are older than you and any coaches that are in and around the place. It is just a constant want for improvement. You can see the club just keeps getting better and better.
“Whoever steps in as chairperson, it was Mike (Michael McDonnell) before and it is Alan (MacNiece) now, when they come in they just want to make things better and make it easier for players to improve and we want to repay that back. It is that constant culture of improvement and wanting to stay at the top level,” he stated.
Improvement and ensuring they will be playing at the highest level of club football in mid-January are the top two goals for St. Brigid’s this weekend. With Paul McGrath going strong, they can hit both those targets.
