Much of the attention last Saturday was focused on count centres from Keenagh to The Hyde Centre and many more up and down the country as results of the General Election began to unfold. Yet not even the election of Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan could have equalled the high experienced by all connected with St Brigid’s at the sound of Eddie Kinsella’s final whistle at the end of this epic All-Ireland Club Championship semi-final.
The Roscommon and Connacht champions had deservedly booked their ticket for the All-Ireland Club final on St Patrick’s Day at the expense of a much fancied Nemo Rangers outfit.
Considering the Kiltoom men were without the services of the injured Mark O’Carroll, team captain Niall Grehan and John Tiernan and with Cathal Mchugh forced off midway through the opening half, the outcome is all the more noteworthy. This was a win carved out of a combination of huge self belief, hard graft and a number of inspirational performances.
Many outsiders could see only one outcome and it wasn’t the one which materialised. Noel O’Brien’s men never showed any respect for their Munster opponents and took the game to them right from the off.
Showing no sign of rustiness after the three month lay-off since their Connacht triumph, the green and red side fought tigerishly for every ball and never let their opponents dominate proceedings as they had done in the opening half against Dr Crokes in the Munster club final.
Nemo capitalised on a defensive error midway through the opening half to find the net and help them to a 1-4 to 0-5 halftime lead, albeit against the run of play.
The Saints had to face into a stiff wind in the second half but neither the elements nor their much vaulted opponents were going to stop this team on a mission. Their cause was helped in no small way by the dismissal of Nemo’s David Niblock for a second yellow card offence.
The closing minutes were nail-biting to say the least. With the end of normal time approaching, and leading by the slimmest of margins, Nemo were awarded a sideline under the stand and when the Nemo player attempted to time-waste by tying both boot laces, the referee didn’t hesitate in throwing up the ball. Mannion grabbed possession and launched an attack which yielded the equalizer via the boot of Kilbride.
Not willing to settle for the draw, two further points were still to come. The hugely impressive Gearoid Cunniffe edged his side ahead to tumultuous roars from the significant Brigid’s support and the final nail in the Nemo coffin was, not surprisingly, provided by Kilbride.
The inspirational performance of Senan Kilbride who kicked five magnificent second half points was decisive to the outcome of this humdinger of a game. After a quiet opening half he certainly left his mark after the break and was well deserving of his man of the match accolade.
On a day when all 17 players who saw action played their part in this historic win the half backline of Gearoid Cunniffe, Peter Domican, and Ian Kilbride was immense. Karol Mannion and Garvan Dolan won the vital midfield sector while up front Frankie pulled the strings and Senan kept the scoreboard ticking. Conor McHugh, Eoin Sheehy, Darren Dolan, and Damien Kellegher all made significant contributions.
They now face the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers in the decider. The Armagh champions got the better of St Brigid’s at the semi-final stage in Mullingar in 2007. They say revenge is a dish best served cold and now Noel O’Brien’s men have their chance. As one banner put it “March 17th is St Brigid’s Day”. If they can repeat this performance then that just might be the case.
