‘We probably didn't maximise our scoring chances’ — Murray

By the time Dermot Lyons blew the final whistle on Sunday, Pádraig Pearses players had a full game’s worth of extra time in the legs as their 2026 action came to a close.

Game after game, season after season, the Woodmount-based club has demonstrated a sustained ability to stay in games and better their opponents.

Bettering opponents in the form of St. Brigid’s is as difficult a task to be set at a county final stage however — a club that has only lost one county final since winning their first of the century (winning a total of 14).

Much like last year’s drawn affair, for large periods of Sunday’s game, Pearses were in the ascendancy, but, as their manager Niall Murray pointed out, his side ultimately needed to convert more in what he described as “a good game of football”.

“At times there, I thought we had it, we were in a good position. We probably didn't maximise our scoring chances when we were on top but all credit to St. Brigid's,” he said.

Murray was quick to wish his opponents the best of luck ahead of their provincial campaign.

Either side would represent the county well in Connacht, and the Pearses manager rightly heaped praise on his panel in light of their performance against top-quality opposition.

“I'm just really proud of our own lads, they gave everything they had. There's not much else you could ask for from them in what they gave in the last couple of weeks,” he added.

“They gave everything on the pitch, so I'm really proud of them,” which was evident in the way his players hunted the ball deep into extra time as Brigid’s held onto possession.

Crucial to Pearses’ ability to pull results from the fire has been the willingness of their bench to take on the big moments, none more dramatic than Tom Butler’s late two-point leveller, and Murray gave credit to all the substitutes that came in.

Timing is everything in football, and while Pearses’ use of the bench in normal time was important, Conor Hand’s 66th minute goal was pivotal to the overall result.

Points in quick succession followed from Senan Kilbride and Pearse Frost. Suddenly, the clock was a factor.

“The goal chance kind of gave the scoreline a bit of a gap, and we weren't able to keep enough pressure on them. If we hadn't, the pressure situation would have been different in the game,” reflected Murray.

Second best for another winter won’t be much consolation around Woodmount. In a season without key figures, however, the Pearses manager acknowledged the positive year some of his younger players enjoyed.

However, epitomising the standards set by the club in recent times Murray stated “we’re interested in winning,” and he looked forward to the future by saying, “I'm sure they'll come back stronger and fitter again next year.”