In 2009 Brosna Gaels won the Offaly Intermediate Hurling championship, and they had to battle with the Offaly county board to be recognised as a legitimate GAA club.
It seems that the ruling GAA body in Offaly was under the impression that Brosna Gaels were an amalgamation of clubs in west Offaly, but the club proved otherwise only days before they were due to play the Laois champions Borris-In-Ossory in the Leinster Club Championship. They lost by a couple of points.
Last year they played senior hurling in Offaly and they were considered unlucky to have been relegated in 2010. They have bounced right back to the senior grade with a solid county final win over St Rynagh’s 0-13 to 0-7 on the third Sunday in October.
St Rynagh’s also lost to Dromcullen in the 2009 decider. Brosna Gaels were victorious over St Patrick's of Wicklow in the AIB Leinster Championship in Wicklow two weeks ago.
Six of their players scored, and corner forward Alan Lynam was in fine form, hitting 2-2. However, Fergal Daly is a real handful for any defence as he operates between centre forward and full forward to telling effect. Chris McDonald at centre half back is also an excellent long-range free-taker.
St Patrick’s have been ticking over nicely with a 17-point win over Carlow Town in the provincial opener. They have also recorded under-21 wins over Clara and O’Loughlin Gaels.
But they will have to line out without the services of their captain and wing back Kieran Delaney, who was red carded in that game in Carlow. St Patrick’s have plenty scoring potential and Joe Brennan, who hit 1-4 against Carlow, seems to be coming into form at the right time. Kevin Kelly, Conor Delaney and Barry Staunton are also classy forwards.
If St Patrick’s Ballyragget go into this game with the right attitude and play the game at a high pace they can win it with a bit to spare.
