Castlerea’s hopes transformed by Bruen
Dara Bruen has departed as Castlerea St. Kevin's manager, leaving the West Roscommon club in a very good place.
Four years ago, Castlerea St. Kevin’s weren’t even being touted as potential winners of the intermediate football championship.
The West Roscommon club, who suffered relegation from senior ranks in 2018, were struggling to mount a challenge in the second tier of the Roscommon club championship.
The appointment of Dara Bruen as team manager was a masterstroke and, with a solid, knowledgeable and hard-working management team, the jigsaw pieces were put in place.
Over the past 48 months, they have brought the players, club and supporters on a magical journey.
The end result has seen Castlerea St. Kevin’s complete their third year as a senior club by reaching the quarter-finals. As Dara Bruen steps aside, he leaves a young, ambitious team ready to reach the next level, establishing themselves as a side capable of competing consistently rather than flirting with relegation.
In year one (2023), the old rules suited Bruen’s gameplan for the team. He made them difficult to beat, defensively strong, while nicking a couple of goals at the far end and grinding out results through determination and resilience.
They started to win games, scraped into the final and produced a smash-and-grab raid against Éire Óg in the IFC decider. From there, they went on to win the Connacht IFC with away victories over Easkey and Monivea-Abbey.
In year two, they survived in senior football, with a crucial group-stage win over Tulsk providing the foundation as the building blocks were put firmly in place.
The third year almost went up in smoke. With no round-robin wins after some heavy losses, they somehow escaped relegation by beating Western Gaels.
However, players from two Division One minor championship-winning teams were now making the leap to adult football, and Bruen was ready to fire them into the mix.
Consequently, Castlerea St. Kevin’s played some brilliant football this season as the management let them off the leash. They adapted to the new rules, producing excellent performances against Elphin and Oran.
Under Dara Bruen’s stewardship, Castlerea St Kevin’s enjoyed stability, evolution and progression. The introduction of youth was the last piece of the jigsaw.
As Bruen passes on the baton, he leaves the club in a great place.
After the international soccer break, it was back to the bread-and-butter stuff for my Teaser team.
Since 1935, can you name the only two grounds outside of Croke Park to host All-Ireland SHC finals?
Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, in 1937 and Semple Stadium in 1984.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first on the scoresheet. Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Grehan, Taughmaconnell; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; John Croghan, Bundoran; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; John McQuaid, Maynooth; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also hit the back of the net.
This week's Teaser: Can you name the last player to join the illustrious list of dual All-Ireland senior club football and hurling winners?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227.
This week's teaser comes from Sligo.
The budget has come and gone for another year but, in the Roscommon SFC, there were no cutbacks, with defending champions St. Brigid’s and their sternest rivals, Padraig Pearses, back in another final.
It was giveaways galore in their respective semi-finals as both forward lines were awash with scores, hitting a combined tally of 8-44. If that trend continues, Sunday’s showdown will see inflation rise even further.
Despite having more money in their pockets, Pádraig Pearses have been prudent consumers and, incredibly, have hit only two wides in over 170 minutes of championship football, which included extra-time wins over Michael Glaveys and Boyle.
Their efficiency in attack is extraordinary and, if they manage another 60 minutes of razor-sharp shooting on Sunday, Niall Murray’s men are going to be hard to beat.
It may seem mad to suggest that last season’s county and provincial champions, and beaten All-Ireland club finalists, St. Brigid’s, are sneaking in under the radar, as their neighbours have grabbed all the attention after their extra-time fairytale wins.
The holders are getting most of their injured players back, with Paul McGrath, Brian Derwin and Eddie Nolan summoned from the bench last day out. Damien Mulligan’s men are nearing a full complement, with only Seán Trundle remaining in the medical room.
For patches against Roscommon Gaels and Strokestown, the green and red looked menacing, with free-flowing football the end product of a side beginning to hum like a Ferrari.
One area of concern against Strokestown was their vulnerability when a high ball arrived into the danger area.
After the heartbreak of Croke Park last January, one suspects they planned and tailored their season to peak on county final day, and are masters at doing so.
On the other hand, Pádraig Pearses continue to be the great survivors. They never panic, are never beaten, and have total belief that every tricky situation can be negotiated and overcome.
They have introduced new players, with Jack Downey, Jack Nevin and Keelan Kelly bringing freshness and impetus to a side rebounding from last year.
Pearses’ ace up their sleeve is their ability to kick two-pointers, which keeps them in every game, and they have certainly been road-tested this season.
Both clubs have changed managements since last year’s epic deciders, which adds another layer of intrigue to Sunday’s showpiece.
Two super-subs have emerged over the summer, with Charlie O'Carroll on fire for St. Brigid’s while Adam McGreal is buzzing for the red and white.
In a nutshell, King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park is the five-star restaurant. St. Brigid’s and Pádraig Pearses are the Michelin-star chefs in the kitchen, and the diners will come in their droves to sample the delicious dishes served up by the top two teams in the county.
In their last six championship meetings, Padraig Pearses have won three, St. Brigid’s have won two and there has been one draw, which, incidentally, was last season’s decider.
Toss the coin — I’m calling Brigid’s.
Will the old adage ring true that you have to lose one to win one, as last year’s beaten Junior A finalists, Ballinameen, return to the decider against a young and vibrant St. Aidan’s side?
From a long way out, these two were the front-runners and, coming up the home straight, were neck and neck with the winning post in sight.
After their semi-final exploits, Ballinameen got their noses in front as they dismantled Kilglass Gaels’ resistance with a storming second-half display, delivered in ruthless and clinical fashion.
It is only when one studies the Ballinameen teamsheet that you discover they have lots of good players and, most importantly, young players, which leaves the club in a healthy position going forward.
The North Roscommon men have pace, flair and experience, and look like a team ready to take the next logical step by attaining intermediate football.
They have previous Connacht U-17 and U-20 winners in Ronan Garvan, David Wynne and the Casey brothers, along with the evergreen Dessie Carlos, who, like a good wine, gets better with age.
Standing in their way is a serious roadblock in yellow and blue jerseys, a team that have already beaten Ballinameen in the group stages.
The St. Aidan’s players have been serving two masters over the past three months, juggling football and hurling commitments with Four Roads. It was always likely that both teams would end up in their respective county finals, placing real pressure on their dual stars.
In fairness, the players have been brilliant, giving their all in pursuit of double glory, carried along by adrenaline, the buzz of winning matches, and the lure of hurling success.
In their semi-final win over Clann na nGael, St. Aidan’s had nine different scorers.
Since the group stages, Ballinameen have moved through the gears and arrive in the final in great health, ready to right the wrongs of last season.
Another classic is in prospect, with Ballinameen my hunch for silverware.
Star pupil: Shauna Walsh, who scored 4-5 for Roscommon Gaels during their Junior B county final success over Strokestown after extra time.
Crucial win for: the Boyle senior ladies’ footballers, as they captured their second Roscommon LGFA senior championship title with a dominant win over Clann na nGael.
Must do better: Another missed opportunity for St Dominic’s as they faltered in the dying moments against Four Roads in the Roscommon SHC final.
Spot of bother: After 21 years, Sligo Rovers have been relegated from the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Weekend highlight: Six Roscommon ladies’ footballers were honoured in Croke Park last Friday night after being named on the LGFA Intermediate Team of the Championship.
What a cracker: Let’s hope the dream senior football championship final pairing delivers because, if it does, we will be taken away on the crest of a wave of magical football.
"Don’t be afraid of failure because that’s the demon that will get in the way. Failure is your friend — a powerful life lesson learned from setbacks."
St. Brigid’s and Padraig Pearses have met six times in Roscommon club SFC finals, with the Kiltoom men winning all six in 1963, 2005, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2025.
The very best of luck to Matthew Farrell of Oran, who is refereeing the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship final on Sunday between Kilcormac-Killoughey and Ballinamere.
