St Brigid’s go the extra to secure glory in Féile

St Brigid’s, Dublin claimed a unique All-Ireland double on Saturday.

A fortnight after picking up the Division 1 Féile Peil na nÓg title, they annexed Division 1 hurling honours at Croke Park.

The Navan Road outfit came good after extra-time to take silverware thanks to a 1-9 to 1-7 win over Galway outfit Clarinbridge in the decider.

Brigid’s signalled their early intent for victory with a goal from Jonathan McGuirk after just three and a half minutes, but found it tough against a Clarinbridge side who defended strongly throughout.

Clarinbridge battled back to leave the score at 1-3 to 0-3 at the interval, with Brigid’s guilty of six wides in the opening half. Good work by Enan Niland cut the deficit to a point with 12 minutes remaining.

However, Brigid’s looked on target for victory in normal time when late scores from Cian O’Sullivan and Tiernan McGlynn restored their three-point lead.

But there was still time for Clarinbridge to salvage something from this game and a goal at the death from centre-half back Ian O’Brien forced extra-time.

Brigid’s were stronger in extra-time, taking a 1-8 to 1-7 interval lead, and claiming another on the restart from McGlynn to take a two-point win.

After the game, Brigids captain Darragh McKenna accepted the Christy Ring Trophy from GAA President Liam O’Neill.

Division 1 Camogie honours went to Newport-Ballinahinch of Tipperary for the first time, but only after a delay to the decider for an Aghabullouge appeal regarding their expulsion from the competition which proved was unsuccessful.

The Cork outfit required a play-off to advance from their group on Friday, and asked that their semi-final against Davitts be moved to Saturday morning.

This request was turned down by the Féile organising committee, and a further appeal to national camogie authorities was thrown out on Saturday afternoon.

Caroline Mullaney (1-3) was the heroine for Newport/Ballinahinch in their 3-3 to 0-2 win over Davitts, Galway.

While the Tipperary side ultimately won this game by 10 points, it wasn’t a true reflection of how close Davitts were to pulling off an All-Ireland win.

The sides were level at 0-2 apiece at the interval with Roisin Dervan taking both Davitts scores. Mullaney netted on the restart, but Davitts stood firm defensively and it wasn’t until a minute from the end that Newport-Ballinahinch netted further goals from Trudie Hurley and Ciara Ryan.

Elsewhere, Portlaoise took Division 2 hurling honours following a 3-7 to 2-9 win over St John’s, Antrim, with Niall Gleeson and Aaron Bergin leading the charge.

Odhran McKeever (1-4) and Pauric McNicholl (1-3) impressed for Kevin Lynch’s, Derry in their 2-15 to 1-4 Division 3 win over Celbridge.

Padraig Pearses (Division 4), Easkey (Division 5) and Setanta (Division 6) claimed the other hurling honours.

In Camogie, Inagh-Kilnamona (Division 2), Naas (Division 3) and Clane (Division 4) were also crowned champions.

Féile na nGael Division 1 Hurling Final: St Brigid’s (Dublin) 1-9 Clarinbridge (Galway) 1-7 (AET)

Scorers for St Brigid’s: J McGurk 1-3 (0-2f), C O’Sullivan (f), D Hawkshaw, K Callaghan, T McGlynn, B Moran, S Mansfield 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clarinbridge: E Niland 0-6 (4f), I O’Brien 1-0, A Monaghan 0-1.