The big talking point following last weekend’s Roscommon u21 semi-finals was the fact that St Brigid’s record breaking run of county titles at this grade had come to an end. Having held the cup from 2002 to 2009 their hopes of adding a ninth successive title came unstuck at the hands of a well balanced Roscommon outfit. Considering the holders could call on 11 of the team that won last year’s decider it was going to take an exceptional performance to beat them.
Played under lights in Kiltoom the visitors held a 0-7 to 0-4 halftime lead. A brilliant Darren Dolan goal in the opening minutes of the second half put his side right back on track. It was tit for tat in the middle third of the second as the teams shared six points between them.
With the Saints holding on to a narrow one point lead Gaels struck for the decisive score of the game when Mark Gilleran finished a high centre to the net. They followed this up with a further three points to take a commanding lead.
To their credit the home side never gave up the fight and while they did manage two late points, the equalising goal they so badly needed never materialised, though they did hit the post in injury time. Roscommon Gaels now face Padraig Pearses in the county final.
In the second semi-final Padraig Pearses booked their place in the final thanks to their 4-11 to 1-11 win over Strokestown. Emmet Kelly and Eanna Ryan shared the goals between them for the Woodmount men. Kelly in particular, Aaron Feehily, Ryan and Conor Daly were very much to the fore for Pearses who will now be hoping to upset the odds against Roscommon Gaels in the final.
