Pearses to face champions

Padraig Pearses will take on defending champions St Brigid’s in the Roscommon SFC final on October 14 after both sides came through their semi-final clashes at the weekend.

Pearses edged out Roscommon Gaels by 1-8 to 0-9 in a dour struggle at Dr Hyde Park.

The key moment came in the 36th minute when John Whyte found the net to send Pearses into a commanding 1-7 to 0-3 lead. However, the home side dragged themselves back into contention during the final quarter to set up a nerve-jangling finish.

The final whistle was greeted with relief by the Pearses supporters who can now look forward to a first senior final since 2008.

They will face a Brigid’s side who comfortably overcame Elphin 2-14 to 0-5.

The defending champions were rampant in the early stages as they built up a solid 0-10 to 0-4 lead before the break. Full-forward Senan Kilbride was in top form with four brilliantly-taken points before half-time.

A Conor McHugh goal ended the game as a contest six minutes into the second half.

The second Brigid’s goal arrived 11 minutes later, Kilbride plucking Gearoid Cunniffe’s excellent long-range pass from the air before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the top corner of the net from 15m out.

It was emphatic statement from the Kiltoom-based club against an Elphin side who had given them a run for their money in the last two county finals. The Connacht title holders will start as hot favourites against a youthful Pearses side.