St Brigids (Roscommon Champions) 1-13
Glencar / Manorhamilton (Leitrim Champions) 3-5

Glencar Manorhamilton just fell short in their bid to reach the Connacht Club Championship Final after a titanic and pulsating battle with Roscommon kingpins St. Brigids in Páirc Seán on Sunday last. A large Leitrim and Roscommon following were served with a match of high quality that ebbed and flowed throughout with a three-point blitz in the last two minutes of the game eventually securing victory for the visitors.

In the early exchanges scores were traded to leave the sides tied on two points apiece before Glencar Manor hit for their first of three goals on 12 minutes when Adrian Croal finished an inviting ball launched into the Brigids goalmouth. The visitors responded in style with four points to Manors one leaving the sides level heading towards half time.  Then in the 25th minute disaster struck for the Manor men when a mix up in their defence led to Frankie Dolan capitalising for that all important goal to leave the half time score at 1-6 to 1-3 in favour of the Roscommon men.

Frees were exchanged on the resumption before James Glancy struck with a fisted equalising goal after good work from substitute Anthony McDonald who lofted a high ball into the danger zone for Glancy who finished well.  Again, St Brigids had an immediate response, Scóring three unanswered points but more excitement unfolded as once again with 4 minutes remaining Manor showed their true battling qualities when Croal finished a great team move to the net with Anthony McDonald again the provider to leave the sides level.  It looked at this stage as though the home side had the momentum to go on and claim victory but not for the first time in the match St Brigids hit 3 points on the trot in a two minute spell and while Manors Adrian Croal saw his final effort for goal go agonisingly over the bar, St Brigids were left relieved victors after a hard fought and intensely competive game.  

Manor will look back on this game as one they could so easily of won and they will point to some crucial errors they made which were punished by a clinical St Brigids side.  It is also worth noting that every time they mounted a challenge and drew parity the Brigids team were always able to respond and pull away from them.  It was a marvellous effort by the Leitrim representatives and they can hold their heads high.  St Brigids will go into the Connacht Final on the back of a game that was a real test for them.  Despite all the pre-match hype of the match going to be a wallk in the park for the Roscommon men, they were made fight all the way.  They will surely address the concession of three goals amongst all the positives they can take from their performance.  Man of the Match was awarded to Ian Kilbride (No 5) for St Brigids.  They now meet Killerin (Galway Champions) in the Connacht Final.

scorers:  St Brigids: F Dolan 1-4 (0-2f), S Kilbride 0-5 (0-1f), D Dolan, I Kilbride, K Mannion, J Tiernan 0-1 each. Glencar/ Manorhamilton: A Croal 2-2, J Glancy 1-2 (0-2f), J Gilmartin 0-1.

ST BRIGIDS — P Martin, R Kelly, D Donnelly, nÓgrehan, I Kilbride, P Domican, G Cunniffe, G Dolan, K Mannion, Cathal McHugh, F Dolan, D Dolan, Conor McHugh, S Kilbride, D OConnor. Subs: J Tiernan for Cathal McHugh, D Kelleher for Conor McHugh.

GLENCAR/MANORHAMILTON — Gary Hickey,Thomas McDonald, Adrian OFlynn, Paddy Maguire, Dominic Kelly, Kieran OFlynn, Shane Loughlin, Colin Ryan, Darren Sweeney, James Gilmartin, James Glancy, Gerry Hickey, Adrian Croal, Fintan McGourty, Brian McDonald. Subs: Anthony McDonald for James Gilmartin, Aaron Hickey for Gerry Hickey, David Poniard for Adrian OFlynn, Ronan McGourty for Aaron Hickey.

REFEREE MICHAEL Duffy (Sligo).

09-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO

3-in-a-row Leitrim Senior Football Champions Glencar Manor take on Roscommon champions St Brigid’s in the eagerly awaited Connacht Club Senior Football Championship semi-final match at 2.30 in Páirc Seán, Carrick on Shannon this Sunday.

Roscommon outfit St Brigid’s are a formidable club team and last won the Connacht Club in 2006 and have won eight Roscommon U21 championships in a row.  In the preliminary Connacht Club game they had a convincing win over Sligo Champions, Eastern Harps (0-21 to 0-4) and are widely expected to advance to the Connacht Final. 

Glencar Manorhamilton have made gradual progress in this competition in their appearances over the last two years.  They lost to Eastern Harps in 2008 on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-5 and lost to Corofin last year by 10 points but this contest was much closer than the scoreline suggests.  This being their 3rd year to represent Leitrim they will no doubt be more familiar with the task at hand and determined to prove themselves outside the County.  If they have a full panel to pick from, play to their full potential and are roared on by the Glencar Manor and Leitrim GAA supporters – they are more than capable of delivering the right result.  

As the Club is representing the County, it is important that they get as much support as possible. Patrons are advised that the Glencar Manorhamilton Club have produced an excellent 24 page colour programme for the match. Coiste Chontae Liatroma wish them the very best of luck in the semi-final on Sunday. 

In the other semi final to be played at 2.30 this Sunday in Tuam Stadium, Galway Champions Killererin play Mayo Champions Ballintubber.  The Final of this competition is scheduled for the 21st November. 

03-Nov-10 by Colette Fox – PRO