Last one out turn off the lights. There won’t be a sinner to be found in the environs of Kiltoom and Cam come Thursday afternoon as all roads lead to Croke Park where the men of St Brigid’s face the mighty CrossmaglenRangers in the All-Ireland club final.
History beckons for Noel O’Brien’s men if they can reproduce the rounded performance which saw them put outright favourites Nemo Rangers to the sword in the semi-final. Their extra time performance against Killererin in the Connacht final indicated this was no ordinary team. They have guts, bottle, and no shortage of talent in every line of the field.
The same of course could be said of their opponents Crossmaglen. The famed Armagh outfit came out on top back in 2007 when the sides met in Mullingar at the semi-final stage. Much of the talk and feeling after the game was that St Brigid’s could have won that game with a little bit more self-belief.
While no two games are ever the same that experience is bound to stand to Noel O’Brien’s men. Crossmaglen have been there and done that before so Croke Park won’t faze them. I don’t believe the Roscommon and Connacht champions will be overawed by the occasion either.
They have plenty of experience in their ranks to provide leadership and their younger players have that cockiness which is needed when stepping out on All-Ireland final day.
The team for the final is likely to be similar to the one which started in the semi-final. Captain Niall Grehan has recovered from injury but is unlikely to secure a starting place. David O’Connor could lose out to Conor McHugh who impressed when introduced against Nemo. Cathal McHugh has also recovered and is sure to start.
Crossmaglen showed they are a serious outfit again this year by ousting a star-studded Kilmacud Crokes side in their semi-final. In doing so I believe they did St Brigid’s a favour. Crossmaglen have a different, more dogged, style than the Dublin champions, and I think this will suit the Kiltoom men better.
The likes of Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride are bound to come in for special attention from the Cross backs but the likes of Eoin Sheehy, Conor McHugh, and Cathal McHugh are all well able to find the target. Discipline will be vital and if Brigid’s are to create history they will need all 15 men on the field for the duration of the game.
A significant crowd is expected to make the trip to GAA headquarters from south Roscommon and indeed the greater Athlone area to lend their support to Noel O’Brien and his team. If they can maintain the same intensity as they showed, particularly in the second half against Nemo, for the duration of the game, then I believe they can write their names into the historic books as All-Ireland club champions. It could be a long week around the club-house in Kiltoom, not to mention Daly’s and The Snug. I wish them well.
