Nolan’s tour-de-force brings redemption for Brigid’s

St. Brigid’s are county senior ladies' football champions for the first time in 11 years, and the inaugural winners of the Marie McAleer Cup, thanks to Kate Nolan’s superb display in Ballyleague on Saturday afternoon.

The Roscommon player, who missed last year’s final through injury, made up for lost time, hitting 1-9 in a powerful performance that Clann na nGael couldn’t contain as Niall Mackey’s side prevailed by 4-12 to 1-9.

Alison Nugent’s goal inside the first minute set the tone. Clann struggled to make any inroads against a well-organised Brigid’s defence and the Kiltoom-based side’s quick transition ensured that Nolan caused havoc at full-forward.

Leading by 1-4 to 0-0 after nine minutes, a few more chances were missed that, in other years, may have created some doubts.

But Nolan’s brilliant individual 26th minute goal eased any fraying nerves, and although Kara Earle and Ruth Finlass hit scores before the break for Clann, the defending champions had it all to do — trailing by 2-5 to 0-4.

A repeat of last year’s second-half collapse was never on the cards as Brigid’s continued to dominate, and they added further goals through Sarah O’Rourke and Aine O’Brien.

Ruth Finlass grabbed a consolation goal for Clann, but Brigid’s coasted to the sweetest of victories.

In the intermediate football championship final, St. Barry’s made up for last year’s disappointment in the decider against St. Ciaran’s by defeating Pádraig Pearses, 2-9 to 0-8.

Shannon McGuinness set up Edel Beirne for the game’s opening goal early on, before Cara Cox turned provider for Beirne’s second major moments later.

McGuinness tagged on a couple of points as Barry’s led 2-2 to 0-0 after eight minutes.

Laura Glennon and Áine Galvin stemmed the bleeding somewhat for Pearses as they trailed 2-3 to 0-4 at half time.

Rachel Frayne masterminded a solid defensive display from the Tarmonbarry-based side after the break, with points in the final quarter by McGuinness, Millie Hagan and Beirne sealing the deal for Gerard Evans’ charges.

In the Junior A football final, Northern Harps survived an epic battle against St. Mary’s that necessitated extra time to separate the teams.

The Elphin/Ballinameen combination, helped by Lauren Shanagher’s contribution of 3-7, edged a pulsating contest 6-14 to 7-9.

But it was hard not to feel sorry for St. Mary’s, especially centre-forward Kate Murray who hit 3-5 over the 80 minutes to keep her side in touch.

The winners were 3-6 to 3-3 ahead at the break, and when Shanagher finished off a flowing move with her second goal of the afternoon in the 37th minute, Northern Harps were in pole position for victory.

But Murray was only warming to her task, and when her 59th minute free ended up in the net, St. Mary’s were a point in front.

Shanagher equalised from a free to leave the sides level at 4-9 apiece, but 1-5 without reply in the first period of extra-time, which included 1-2 from Shanagher, finally swung the pendulum in their favour.

A sixth Northern Harps goal from Orlaith Callaghan followed, but two goals from Murray, which were preceded by Hannah Moylan’s second goal of the afternoon, unbelievably, left St. Mary’s within striking distance.

But Northern Harps held on in dramatic fashion to claim the silverware.

*Reports and pictures from all three finals in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald