Connacht Club SFC Final ( Kiltoom, Sunday, 2pm )
It’s a case of all hands on deck in Kiltoom this week as the club prepares for what will be a massive occasion when St Brigid’s defend their Connacht title against Corofin in their home pitch on Sunday.
Connacht final appearances are always going to be special for a club. When it is against a team of Corofin’s proven quality even more so. When that final is down for decision on your own home pitch in front of an expected crowd of over three thousand well that really will be something to savour.
This game has a real clash of the titans feel about it as four of the past five Connacht titles have been shared by these two sides. Brigid’s bagged their first Connacht title in 2006 when a late Karol Mannion goal stunned Corofin. Corofin secured back to back Connacht titles in 08 and 09 while Brigid’s of course won last year’s provincial decider against Killererin.
The sides met earlier in the year in a challenge game in which Corofin came out on top but that will have no bearing on Sunday’s outcome. However, home advantage is bound to be a plus for St Brigid’s.
The duel between Senan Kilbride and Kieran Fitzgerald will be pivotal to the outcome of the game. Kilbride when on song is almost impossible to handle but on Sunday he will be patrolled by popular Athlone-based garda Kieran Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has called time on his inter-county career but has been in outstanding form for his club. If he does manage to curtail the threat of Kilbride then The Saints could be in bother.
St Brigid’s would appear to have more natural scorers than Corofin but with that said Corofin pride themselves on their strong defensive unit. A home win is certainly a distinct possibility. However they say revenge is a dish best served cold and I have a feeling Corofin will avenge their 2006 defeat and spoil the Brigid’s party.
