Manion magic inspires Brigid’s to hard-earned win

ST. BRIGID’S won their fifth Roscommon senior football title in seven seasons with a hard-earned victory over a resolute Elphin side a wet and dreary Dr Hyde Park.

The defending county and Connacht champions were always in control but it took Damien Kelleher’s 56th minute goal to finally end Elphin’s brave challenge.

Elphin were always playing catch-up and their cause was further weakened by Paddy O’Connor’s dismissal for a second yellow card in the 21st minute. At that stage Brigid’s held a 0-3 to 0-1 lead but Noel O’Brien’s charges pushed on with points from Frankie Dolan (two frees) and Senan Kilbride to lead 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval.

With the wind behind them Elphin persisted with deploying men behind the ball. But their game-plan seemed to be working when Frankie Cregg’s free left it 0-7 to 0-5 after 46th minutes.

However, Brigid’s experience came to the fore and two brilliant long range points from Dolan and man of the match Karol Mannion gave them some breathing space.

Four minutes from time, Elphin’s hopes evaporated when Kelleher bundled the ball over the line from close range.

ST. BRIGID’S: J. Martin; N. Grehan, D. Donnelly, D. Sheehy; E. Sheehy, P.

Domican, G. Cunniffe; K. Mannion (0-1), G. Dolan; D. Dolan, C. McHugh (0-1), D. Kelleher (1-0); P. Kelly (0-1), S. Kilbride (0-2), F. Dolan (0-4, 3f).

Subs: I. Kilbride for Kelly (46).

ELPHIN: R. Collins; J. Carney, R. Brady, D. Cregg (0-1); K. Brady, P.

O’Connor, S. Beirne; S. Tiernan, B. Cregg; M. Callery, Fintan Cregg (0-3, 2f), G. Brady; B. Rock (0-1, a ‘45), Frankie Cregg (0-2, 1f), M. Glancy.

Subs: G. Cregg for Callery (44), C. Rock for G. Brady (52), D. Hynes for Tiernan (57).

REF: M. Parker (St Faithleach’s)