Brigid's may have to bide their time
STAR MAN: Ben O'Carroll has been in terrific form for St. Brigid's this season. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie
St. Brigid’s scaled Mount Everest in 2013. They know the hard work it takes to get to the summit.
On the other hand, Glen, who commenced their assault on the Andy Merrigan Cup three years ago, find themselves edging towards the final ascent. However, a youthful, energetic and fearless St. Brigid’s side are chasing them to the top after the Roscommon men got renewed hope once they left Everest Base Camp over a month ago.
Glen remind me of where St. Brigid’s were at the height of their powers in the early part of the last decade. The Kiltoom men had started to dominate County Roscommon before becoming the main drivers at provincial level. They tasted defeat on All-Ireland club final day in 2011 before finishing the deal in 2013.
After losing last season’s decider, the Derry and Ulster champions are back for another shot at winning the holy grail of senior club football. They tick so many boxes — experience, quality players, a perfected running game and an insatiable hunger.
But they could be caught if they take their eye off the prize. Everyone outside of Roscommon has been telling them that they are All-Ireland champions in waiting.
The All-Ireland semi-final between St. Brigid’s and Castlehaven was the starter on the menu a couple of weeks ago. Glen and Kilmacud Crokes was the steak with all the trimmings. In many people’s eyes, it was the real final.
On Monday morning, January 8th, after the Newry fog had cleared, Glen will have woken up to the reality that they have no trophy. An All-Ireland final has to be won against a side that have naturally gifted footballers, a side that are getting better by the game, a side that are coming to peak performance at the right time and a side that are being totally written off.
It's the perfect storm for the Roscommon champions to wreak havoc. Only for some sloppy defending against Corofin in the Connacht final and a lacklustre third quarter against Castlehaven, St. Brigid’s were by far the better team on both days.
Different players are coming to the boil. While Ben O’Carroll is in terrific form, players like Bobby Nugent and Brian Derwin are chipping in with crucial scores. Jerome Stack’s side have bundles of pace, which will suit Croke Park.
To win, St. Brigid’s need to play above themselves. Glen will have to be below par. St. Brigid’s midfielders Shane Cunnane and Eddie Nolan must have the game of their lives as Glen pair Conor Glass and Emmett Bradley are exceptional footballers.
Glen will feel that if they wrap up Ben O’Carroll, they can afford to relax. But St. Brigid’s will have noted that Erin’s Own (Antrim), Naomh Conaill (Donegal) and Scotstown (Monaghan) took Glen all the way and that the Derry men didn’t score a goal in any of those games.
Glen has mastered the art of winning tight games. But if St. Brigid’s can poach at least one goal and don’t concede one at the other end, they have every chance.
The Roscommon and Connacht champions will require another fast start for the third game running. If the Green and Red are in the contest coming up the closing furlong, they have a great chance of snatching the glory from under the noses of the Ulster men.
Glen sense that this is their opportunity, and will be aiming to strike when the iron is hot. But St. Brigid’s ambush is ready and waiting.
The most technically challenging section of climbing Mount Everest is the Hillary Step. Both St. Brigid’s and Glen are there, neck and neck, just below the summit.
I just have an inkling that Glen will get there first.
Back in 2015, Roscommon CBS defeated Good Counsel New Ross in the All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior A football semi-final by 0-10 to 0-8 at Conleth's Park, Newbridge.
One of the key players for the Wexford school was corner-forward Thomas O’Connor. On that particular day, O’Connor posted 0-5, including three frees. He was brilliantly marked by a tight and tenacious CBS defence, which proved crucial in the Roscommon Town-based school reaching its first ever Hogan Cup final in Croke Park.
Fast forward nine years and, last Sunday week, the same Thomas O’Connor was making national headlines on the Six One and RTÉ sports news at 9 p.m. as the midfielder scored the winning goal for Wrexham in the third round of the FA Cup against Shrewsbury Town.
A year ago, he scored two goals in FA Cup ties against Sheffield United and Coventry as the Welsh club reached the fourth round. At the same stage this season, Wrexham have been drawn against Blackburn Rovers.
Not long after CBS had beaten Good Counsel and after sitting his Leaving Cert, Thomas O’Connor got his first opportunity by signing for Southampton. And so began his professional soccer journey in England that has seen the former Ireland U-19 player settle with League Two outfit Wrexham.
Such is Thomas O’Connor’s sporting excellence that he could have being in Croke Park last Saturday afternoon alongside Walter Walsh as his home GAA club in Kilkenny, Tullogher Rosbercon, were up against St. Catherine’s from Cork in the All-Ireland junior club hurling final. Thomas’ two brothers, Donnacha and Anthony O’Connor, lined out in the 2-21 to 1-13 victory.
After all the drama of the World Darts Championship, which gained so many new admirers, the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon Town is the new Ally Pally this weekend as the popular venue hosts the prestigious West Coast Challenge.
Large crowds are expected to flock to the three-day event to watch some of the best adult and youth players, both male and female, from around country showcase their talent.
This national event is ranked the second largest team event after the All-Irelands. The country’s top darts players will be competing to see which county comes out on top.
Roscommon will have two senior men’s teams, a ladies’ team and two youths’ teams taking part. The action commenced on Friday evening with a pairs competition.
The main event of the weekend started at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. The cherry on top of the cake will be on Sunday, January 21st, (tomorrow) with a massive singles tournament.
The great news is that admission is free with everyone welcome to come along, watch live darts and cheer on the Roscommon players in the process.
My first Teaser of the year saw “the band get back together”.
Can you name the last county to become a first-time winner of the All-Ireland SFC? It was Tyrone in 2003.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to claim the bragging rights for 2024.
Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; John Croghan, Bundoran; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Eamon Campion, Castlerea; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Seán Lenehan, Elphin; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Pat, Sligo; Michael Madden, Dublin; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Tony Reilly, Castlerea; Ronan’s Abú; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Michael Finneran, London; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, all beginning the New Year in style.
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser comes from North Roscommon.
Star pupil: Seamus Coleman who became Everton’s highest ever Premier League appearance holder by making his 355th top flight appearance for the club against Aston Villa on Sunday last.
Crucial win for: Munster away at Toulon which has kicked real life into their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.
Much do better: Newcastle United being caught cold at the death by Manchester City in a five-goal thriller.
Spot of bother: Two Cork clubs, St. Catherine’s and Castlelyons, being beaten by a combined tally of 29 points by their Kilkenny counterparts in the All-Ireland club junior and intermediate hurling finals in Croke Park on Saturday last.
Weekend highlight: Watching Mark Allen make a 147 break against Mark Selby at the UK Masters Snooker Championships quarter-final on BBC 2 was awesome viewing last Friday night.
What a cracker: It’s a real 50-50 contest as St. Thomas’s and O’Loughlin Gaels go head to head in the All-Ireland club SHC final in Croke Park next Sunday.
“Never cut down a tree in the winter time. Never make a decision in the low time. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. Spring will come.”
Roscommon are playing in their tenth consecutive FBD Connacht football final against Galway next Friday evening.
Could Ballina senior football manager, Niall Heffernan, have kickstarted something different in the game by appointing a female coach to train the team?
Former Mayo ladies’ footballer Cora Staunton will fill that role for the upcoming season.
