Brigid’s can pass Pearses test in high stakes showdown

By Eamon A. Donoghue

The Roscommon SFC is heating up nicely and could very well hit boiling point this weekend. There are two mouthwatering clashes involving South Roscommon clubs, with Sunday’s showdown between St Brigid’s and Padraig Pearses (Hyde Park, 2pm) not just the pick of the bunch in Roscommon, but one of the standout games across the country this weekend.

These two clubs have clashed in a number of county finals over the last 14 years. They have also clashed in many quarter-finals and semi-finals in recent years, with the winners usually going on to win the prestigious Fahey Cup.

To look back on the very recent history, in 2019 they clashed in a quarter-final and Pearses came out on top and went on and won their historic first county senior title. They met in the 2020 final and the Kiltoom side were victorious. The year after, 2021, Pearses beat their rivals in the Hyde and went on and won their second ever county title.

They met last year and Brigid’s won and they went on and won the Roscommon and Connacht titles. There’s every chance that the winner next Sunday will go on and win the championship.

Several of the key players involved in those recent battles will again be on duty next weekend. St Brigid’s will be without their marquee forward Ben O’Carroll, the Roscommon dynamo having had surgery recently. They could also be without defender Pearse Frost.

But they will have Brian Stack, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Shane Cunnane, Robbie Dolan, Conor Hand and Eddie Nolan, all of whom are on the Roscommon squad. Pearses will welcome back, just at the right time, Dave Murray and Mark Richardson from injury. They will be close to full strength for this derby game.

Hubert Darcy is still recovering from surgery and Conor Payne is not part of the squad this year, both big losses, which leaves a much-weakened attack. The evergreen Niall Carty is defining science as she still anchors the Pearses team, this year from full-back. Conor Daly looks lean and hungry for football, after his return from abroad.

The stakes are high on Sunday. This is one of the most intriguing games of club football in the country and, not surprisingly, it will be shown on TG4.

Having reached the All-Ireland club final back in January – and coming so close to winning it - the Kiltoom based team are expected by many to challenge strongly for the All-Ireland in the forthcoming campaign if they can retain their Roscommon title. In many ways, they are under severe pressure on Sunday as they are playing one of their toughest opponents earlier than they would have expected.

Pearses manager Frank Canning and coach Ross Munnelly, the former Laois star, are in their second year in charge, with their side having been knocked out of the 2023 championship with a whimper. There could be a number of retirements and changeover of players, if they were to bow out at the quarter-final stage again this year.

So much depends on this game for both clubs. Actually, this game could define the next four or five years for both clubs. That’s why there is so much interest in this game.

This promises to be a fascinating battle and a titanic struggle. St Brigid’s look to be the form team in the county. They won the O’Rourke Cup (Division 1 league) at a canter, even without a number of their established players. They comfortably won their group games, scoring freely and impressively. They look in a better place than this time last year, and we know where they ended up last year, in Croke Park.

Pearses, on the other hand, haven’t been overly impressive but they have done what was needed and beat St Dominic’s and Boyle. Their defeat to Clann na nGael in injury time must be a concern. But they will line out stronger Sunday than any time this year.

This is a tough game to call. Brigid’s without Ben O’Carroll are not the same obstacle as when they have him in attack. Pearses will make it defensive, but they simply don’t score enough in games to trouble Brigid’s. They scored just 1-12 against St Dominic’s and are averaging about 15 points a game.

If Brigid’s stick with their offensive football and go man on man and go for it, they should prove too strong. Anthony Cunningham’s charges are averaging a much higher total and if they can avoid being dragged into a defensive battle, they should be too strong and take a step towards another tilt at the Andy Merrigan Cup.

Verdict: St Brigid’s.