Clann na Gael have captured their first Roscommon Senior Football Championship title since 2015, overcoming great rivals St. Brigid's on a scoreline of 4-15 to 1-12. It was an exciting affair throughout the entire 60 minutes, and certainly was not lacking in drama.
The most successful club in Roscommon with 20 senior titles, Clann na Gael went 19 years without winning the championship between 1996 and 2015. This was a period where St Brigid's asserted their dominance in the county, lifting the trophy 10 times since 2005, as well as an All-Ireland in 2013.
Amazingly this game marked the first time the two clubs have faced off in a county final since 1997, and it was a highly anticipated clash. The match was full of life right from the throw-in.
Ciaran Lennon gave his side a dream start, finding the back of the net inside the first minute.
Ciarán Lennon Goal pic.twitter.com/OBiEO7YCd9
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 14, 2018
St Brigid's were quick to respond however, with former Roscommon forward Senan Kilbride rounding Ronan O'Reilly in the Clann goal to slot the ball home.
Senan Kilbride Goal pic.twitter.com/i9Ta9QcSnt
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 14, 2018
The sides traded scores for the remainder of the first half, with Clann na Gael taking a slender 1-9 to 1-7 lead into the interval.
The turning point in the match came in the 40th minute, when St Brigid's substitute Gearoid Cunniffe received a controversial red card. He was adjudged to have shouldered a Clann player in the head during a lunging tackle, and the referee showed no hesitation in giving him his marching orders. The incident can be seen around 20 seconds into the video below.
Scéal an Cluiche!@ClannGAA ina buaiteoirí @RoscommonGAA @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/PftYYXKOxK
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 14, 2018
From here it was all Clann na Gael, and two goals in quick succession just moments later would end the match as a contest. A wonderful ball into the forward line was won by Jamie Fahy, who beat his man before squaring the ball across the face of the goal, where it was duly converted by Jonathan Dunning.
Jonathan Dunning Goal pic.twitter.com/gOYYVg1fy5
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 14, 2018
They would strike again just seconds later, when a mistake from St Brigid's goalkeeper Shane Mannion during the resulting kick-out gave them the chance to extend their lead. Mannion's slip seen the ball fall to Cathal Callinan, who produced an incredible effort to chip the scrambling 'keeper from all of 35 metres out.
Cathal Callinan Goal pic.twitter.com/orU6gMkZnL
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 14, 2018
The result was assured from here on, and Clann na Gael would stroll to victory in the remaining 15 minutes. Donie Shine converted a late penalty to put even further distance between the sides, and his side ran out comfortable nine point winners.
This defeat marks St Brigid's first county final loss since 2003, bringing an end to a run of 10 consecutive final victories. For Clann na Gael, they will hope this victory can launch a sustained period of success for the club, and allow them to move ahead of their rivals as the top club in Roscommon once again.
