St. Barry’s to make up for 2024 disappointment

Of all the Roscommon LGFA finals taking place this weekend across the grades, none was more widely predicted than the meeting of Pádraig Pearses and St. Barry’s in the Coachman’s Inn/Harry’s Restaurant intermediate decider (throw-in at Ballyleague on Saturday is 2 p.m.).

Last year’s finalists, St. Barry’s, proved that they had kicked on in style when they reached the final of the Division One League against elite senior teams, while the age profile of Pádraig Pearses was a strong indicator that they would develop after winning the Junior A title 12 months ago.

St. Croan’s are invariably competitive while there was always a chance that if Kilbride put an end to their poor run of form they might turn into a real threat and so it proved, with Ollie Lennon’s side causing Pearses plenty of problems in a very competitive showdown, which was ultimately settled by Laura Glennon’s late goal.

“Kilbride had us on the back foot when they got the two goals but the older girls kept us calm and steered us through,” reflected Chloe Mulryan, one of the many younger stars in this Pearses group.

“Áine Ryan, Lorraine Kenny, Sarah Dooley, these are great leaders on the field and on the training ground. We’re very lucky to have them and they’re a huge help to us younger players. It’s a big step up from U-16, but those older girls make it very easy for us,” highlighted Mulryan.

Pearses have the psychological boost of recording a win when the two sides met in the first round of the championship, a result that was a minor upset given that St. Barry’s just competed in the Division One League final. Since then, however, the Tarmonbarry-based side have gone from strength to strength and now they come into this Saturday’s final full of confidence, according to county player Shannon McGuinness.

“Watching the girls play Division One football this year and getting to the final against Boyle was outstanding for us. We didn’t start our campaign as we would have wanted or expected, but we’re into the final now, and that’s all that matters. We’re more than ready for this game,” McGuinness asserted.

Two months later, she feels that their defeat to Pearses in the first round was a valuable marker that helped them steady the ship. That and last year’s county final are losses that she feels have hardened this team.

“It (the Pearses game) was a marker of where we were at the time and what we need to fix. We’ve improved step-by-step since then, and we’re just happy to be back after losing last year’s final to St. Ciarán’s. We were heartbroken last year after that final but we know it’s a stepping stone for us. We know what it’s like to play in an intermediate final, we know what we’re expecting, and we’re ready.”

McGuinness went on to suggest that even though they are also packed with teenagers, having contested this year’s U-19 Division One final, exploiting their extra bit of physical power might be crucial in a game where Pearses’ fast transition play will be a huge part of the playing style of John Whyte’s side.

“The Pearses girls are fantastic, they have the speed, the agility, everything. But we have the defence that can hold those speedy players, and physicality comes into it too. We’ll need that as well,” she accepted.

It would be a huge surprise if both of these clubs aren’t senior in the next three or four years, but right now St. Barry’s appear to have that little bit more development behind them and on slightly softer ground, could make the going very tough for a light Pearses team that leans heavily on mobility and pace.

Verdict: St. Barry’s