Football followers in south Roscommon are set for a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between neighbours Clann na nGael and St Brigid’s in two weeks time. The two big guns are sure to draw the crowds when they go toe to toe for the right to progress to a semi-final.
St Brigid’s secured their place in the last eight thanks to their 0-15 to 0-10 win over Padraig Pearses on Saturday last. In a winner takes all contest it was Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride did most of the damage on the scoreboard for the Kiltoom men kicking five points each.
Both sides were without a number of regulars for various reasons but having won the last eight u21 county titles St Brigid’s are not lacking strength in depth. In a game that never fully ignited, the green and reds always held the upper hand.
Their half time 0-9 to 0-5 lead was extended to six points after the resumption. Jack Murray’s men were not going to roll over easily and battled back to cut the defict to three points with 10 minutes remaining. The Saints turned up the heat again and finished strongly leaving the final score 0-15 to 0-10.
Meanwhile Clann na nGael progressed to the quarter-final despite a one point loss to Kilmore on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-11. Kilmore grabbed the winner deep in injury time, thereby allowing them to leapfrog St Aidan’s to secure a quarter-final spot.
Dessie Dolan’s outfit will no doubt be underdogs when they take the field against near neighbours St Brigid’s in a fortnight’s time. Yet like any derby game this promises to be a close affair and one that will definitely be worth attending.
