Clarke says Brigid’s are rewarded for huge effort

PADDY CLARKE was in the air, flying to Australia as part of the Irish management for the 2001 International Rules Series, when Brigid’s lost heavily in the Dublin county football final to a Na Fianna side captained by Kieran McGeeney.

Founded in 1932, it was only their second time qualifying for the final and they had lost to the same opposition controversially in their inaugural appearance in 1999. Now, they are only one game away from contesting the AIB Leinster club final.

Clarke, the former Louth manager, acknowledges that opponents Clonguish from Longford not only share the same dream but recognise that it is within their reach. So too with the other semi-finalists, Arles/Kilcruise and Round Towers with whom the great Glenn Ryan performs as valuable a role at centre-back as he has done for Kildare over the last decade and longer.