These are busy times for all dyed-in-the wool supporters of the green and red of St Brigid’s. Last weekend the ladies team had little difficulty in capturing the senior county title at the expense of Kilglass Gaels. This weekend it’s the men’s turn to try and bring back the coveted Fahey Cup to the parish after a gap of two years. In a few weeks time the intermediate team will also contest their county final. All going well they will be hoping to complete a memorable and surely unique treble for the famous south Roscommon club.
Having defeated reigning champions Castlerea St Kevin’s in the semi-final Elphin provide the opposition for St Brigid’s in Sunday’s decider. The Saints will be warm favourites going into the game but having been out of the winner’s enclosure since 2007 they will be taking nothing for granted.
Elphin last won the Fahey Cup in 1957 so they will certainly not be lacking in hunger. They may be surprise packets in the final but having edged out hat-trick seeking Castlerea in the semis they have to be taken seriously.
With that said the Kiltoom men would appear to hold all the aces and if they get the performance they are capable of then it is surely their final to lose. With players of the quality of Peter Domican, Ian and Senan Kilbride, John Tiernan, Karol Mannion, Cathal McHugh, and of course Frankie Dolan they have a wealth of experience to call on. Throw some of their younger players like Conor McHugh, Niall Grehan, Darren Dolan, and Eoin Sheehy into the mix and they would seem to have a winning formula.
Elphin have fewer stars amongst their ranks but will be looking to the likes of Fintan Cregg, Paddy O’Connor, and Ronan Brady to provide the necessary leadership. Brian Higgins travelled abroad before their semi-final clash and while it is rumoured he will be coming home for the final, that has not been confirmed.
Should he be available it would be a huge boost to Elphin but even his presence may not be enough to swing things in their favour. There is a feeling out there that Noel O’Brien’s men have underachieved in the past two years and I have a feeling that they will set that right on Sunday evening.
