The Brigid’s Ferrari is back in pole position
Jamie and Aisling McHugh supporting the St. Brigid's senior footballers against Pádraig Pearses on Saturday last. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
If a local TD or government minister delivered to their constituency what the Roscommon SFC produced this season, they would be re-elected at the next general election.
From the moment St. Faithleach’s left holders, Pádraig Pearses, on the ropes on the opening night of action, the race for the Fahey Cup was tasty. There were average games, but the majority of the contests were full of entertainment, filling the bellies of supporters with plenty of nourishment.
Michael Glavey gave St. Brigid’s a shot across the bows in Lisnamult as Anthony Cunningham’s men were handed a mid-term report card of “must do better”.
Boyle wrapped up three from three with guile, precision and poise, and were leading the race at the halfway mark. Scores were up too, two-pointers were flying over crossbars around the county, and forwards were on fire with defenders struggling to cope.
At times, the championship resembled Electric Picnic — the lesser lights away from the big acts on the main stage were creating their own magic.
Elphin made sweet music against Western Gaels, as did Castlerea St. Kevin’s. When push came to shove, however, Western Gaels’ prayers were answered as it took the fifth decade of the rosary to relegate St. Dominic’s.
After the group stages, hot favourites St. Brigid’s and Pádraig Pearses ended up as second and third seeds, which meant the top seeds faced tough quarter-finals.
Once again, Oran fell short, after losing a thrilling play-off, after extra time, against Pádraig Pearses. That result lit the torch for the knockout stages of the championship.
In 2024, the then-champions St. Brigid’s drew Padraig Pearses in the á la carte quarter-final clash, which saw the holders lose out after extra time.
Twelve months later, the box-office quarter-final showdown saw high-flying Boyle, managed by former Sligo star Eamonn O’Hara, against Pádraig Pearses.
An early lunch-time classic in Enfield was duly served. Seven points up with seven minutes remaining, Boyle looked home and hosed. But the champions showed that they are never beaten as Paul Carey kicked three two-pointers from out the road in Tulsk. As the North Roscommon men crumbled, Pádraig Pearses ran riot in extra time as Frank Canning’s men showed why they were the Bravehearts of the championship.
Not to be outdone, St. Faithleach’s and Michael Glaveys put on a show on Oran’s lush green carpet as the Murtagh brothers outshone the Heneghan clan.
Coming up the closing furlong, normal service had resumed as St. Brigid’s — after easily accounting for Roscommon Gaels — won the bragging rights against neighbours Clann na nGael.
Pádraig Pearses dismantled St. Faithleach’s in the same ruthless manner that Catherine Connolly dealt with Heather Humpreys, leaving us as giddy as children on Christmas Eve.
The good news was that Santa came twice to fill out stockings as the first replay in 17 years was eagerly awaited. It was apt that, on All Saints Day, St. Brigid’s reclaimed pole position.
The terms “game changer” became a hit in the recent presidential election race. On Saturday last, the same two words became so relevant at the full time.
St. Brigid’s transfer coup in recruiting the services of Conor Carroll yielded a rich harvest. Big players like Bobby Nugent, Brian Stack, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Ben O’Carroll and Paul McGrath also stood up to the plate, meaning that the Fahey Cup will spend the winter in the familiar surroundings of Kiltoom.
Wasn’t it great to see a group of local lads coming together to manage their clubs to championship glory in the Junior A and Intermediate Football Championships?
It was a super six for St. Croan’s, with local heroes Vinnie Egan, Eamon Towey, John Kennedy, Paul Kelly, Colin Sheridan and Gerard Leech guiding the Blue and White back to greener pastures for 2026.
Strokestown’s success was also an inside job, with three familiar faces, who did it on the pitch — Pearse McGinley, Ronan Owens and Conor Silke — flying the plane, with a little help from Basil Mannion.
It's a lesson to clubs — home DIY jobs do work.
Before a ball was kicked in the Roscommon Junior A Football Championship, St. Croan’s would have had one eye on the provincial club championship as they were the front-runner domestically.
True to their word, Vinnie Egan’s side didn’t use up too much energy in winning the county title and will enter the provincial campaign fresh, hungry and eager for more silverware.
Twelve months ago, Cloonacool lost the Sligo Junior A Championship final, after a replay, against an excellent Ballymote side who went on to reach this season's intermediate semi-final in the Yeats County.
Cloonacool found themselves back in this season’s decider. Like 2024, they found themselves facing another replay after a first day stalemate with Eastern Harps. The hurt of last season drove them on to win the replay, with captain Eoin Carty in sparkling form. Consequently, they will travel to King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park with a spring in their step.
But St. Croan’s have quality and experience all over the field, especially up front, and are primed to set up a clash against Kiltimagh in the semi-final.
While I had no spoiled votes, the highest percentage of voters thought that the answer to last week’s Teaser was a male.
Can you name the last Irish international soccer player to win a Champions League medal? It was the Republic of Ireland’s Katie McCabe, who won the Champions League with Arsenal in 2024.
Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis, was first to back the new centurion. Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; QPR, Frenchpark; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Grehan, Taughmaconnell; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; John Croghan, Bundoran; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, were also in Katie’s corner.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the only All-Star footballer who played international rugby for Ireland?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from Sligo.
Star pupil: St. Brigid’s goalkeeper, Conor Carroll, was in top form, producing three outstanding saves during his Player of the Match performance in last Saturday’s county senior football final replay.
Crucial win for: Sligo Rovers as their victory over Shamrock Rovers secured Premier Division football for next season.
Much do better: The Irish rugby team have lots of work to do ahead of their three home autumn international games against Japan, Australia and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.
Spot of bother: Missed goal chances drained away any chance Pádraig Pearses had of retaining their county senior football title.
Weekend highlight: As I was channel hoping last Saturday evening, I came across a cracking FA Cup first round clash on BBC 2 as non-league Brackley Town beat League Two’s Notts County 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time.
What a cracker: A huge three points at stake at the Ethiad on Sunday as Manchester City host Liverpool. It’s a game neither team can afford to lose.
“You’ll learn more about a road by travelling it than by consulting all the maps in the world.”
All four of last season’s All-Ireland senior club football semi-finalists — Cuala, Errigal Ciaran, Dr. Crokes and Coolera/Strandhill — failed to get out of their respective county championships.
The Tyrone Senior Football Championship must be the hardest of all the 32 county titles to win.
No club since Carrickmore in 2005 have retained their crown over the past two decades, as there have been, unbelievably, 20 different winners in the Red Hand County.
