St. Brigids (Roscommon)

St. Brigids GAA Club (Naomh Bríd) is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parishes of Kiltoom and Cam in South County Roscommon, Ireland. They play in Green and Red colours and their home pitch is at Newpark, Kiltoom [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%2B53%C2%B0+29%27+7.69%22,+-8%C2%B0+1%27+36.40%22&ie=UTF8&ll=53.484292,-8.028409&spn=0.006193,0.019312&t=h&z=16 (Google Maps)] . The club was founded in 1944 and is the home club of one of the all-time GAA greats, Gerry O'Malley.

The club fields underage teams from U-10 to U-21 as well as Senior and Junior teams. There are Ladies football teams at all ages and the seniors have achieved a lot of success in recent years.

On 26 November 2006, St. Brigids enjoyed the most historic day in their club's history when they won their first ever Connacht Senior Club Football Championship by defeating Galway kingpins Corofin by 1-10 to 3-3.

On the 30 September 2007 the club achieved their first ever three-in-a-row of Roscommon Senior Football Championship titles, defeating St. Faithleachs by 1-12 to 0-9. The same achievement was also notched up by the Senior ladies team in 2007. The club's U-21 team also achieved their sixth county title in a row, as of 2007.

In 2005, St. Brigids created history by being the first club in Roscommon to capture both Senior and Minor titles in the Men's grade and the Ladies' grade, all in one year.

St. Brigids was voted Connaught Club of the year for 2005 which is in line with major developments which have taken place at the club over the last number of years.

Recent History

St. Brigids have captured four county titles since 1997. Under the management of John O'Mahony, they won their first title in 28 years in 1997 after defeating Clan na Gael in the final by 1-8 to 0-8, the goal coming from John Tiernan. They had to wait until 2000 before they reached the final again, but this time lost out to underdogs Kilbride. More defeats came in 2002 to Strokestown and in 2003 to Castlerea St. Kevins. In 2005, under the stewardship of Ger Dowd, they reclaimed the Fahey Cup by beating Padraig Pearses 2-9 to 0-11, both goals coming from John Tiernan. In 2006, under Anthony Cunningham, they defended their title in a tough encounter with St. Faithleach's on a scoreline of 1-7 to 1-5, the goal courtesy of Garvan Dolan. In 2007, St. Brigids captures the three-in-a-row when they again defeated St. Faithleach's in the final by 1-12 to 0-9. A goal ten minutes from time by Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien sealed the win.

Their Connacht Club campaigns were mixed up until 2006 when they captured the provincial crown for the first time.

In 1997 they succumbed to a powerful Knockmore (Mayo) team in Kiltoom. In 2005 they reached the Connacht Senior Club Football Championship Final, after defeating Leitrim Champions Kiltubrid after a replay in Kiltoom. In the final in Pearse Stadium in Galway, they were defeated by the superior Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway), the eventual All-Ireland winners.

However, in 2006 they went all the way and claimed the Shane McGettigan Cup in dramatic circumstances. In the preliminary round they defeated Curry (Sligo) by 1-8 to 1-7. A goal at the start of the game from David O'Connor spurred them on, and a point from Senan Kilbride 5 minutes from the end secured the one-point victory. In the semi-final they defeated favourites and previous All-Ireland winners, Crossmolina (Mayo) by 13pts to 1-6 in Dr. Hyde Park. And it was also in the Hyde that the final took place where they beat favourites Corofin (Galway) with a dramatic injury-time goal from Karol Mannion. The final scoreline was 1-10 to 3-3, meaning Captain Mark O'Carroll received the Shane McGettigan Cup on behalf of St. Brigids.

In the All-Ireland Semi-Final on 18th February, 2007, they met the Armagh and Ulster Senior Club Football Championship winners, Crossmaglen Rangers, in Cusack Park, Mullingar. Despite facing the most successful club team in recent history, St. Brigids narrowly lost out by 1-11 to 0-11. This was the second year in a row that they were beaten by the eventual All-Ireland winners.

The defence of their Connaught title in 2007 proved unsuccessful however. A comprehensive semi-final win in Tuam over the Padraig Joyce-inspired Killererin, portrayed St. Brigid's in their best light as they ran out 4-10 to 1-11 winners against the Galway champions. The final saw St. Brigid's travel to the home territory of Ballina Stephenites in North Mayo. Two early goals from Ballina provided the cushion that they never relinquished, despite unrelenting effort by St. Brigids. The final score was Ballina 2-8, St. Brigid's 0-12.

Roll of Honour

Roscommon Senior Football Championship

1953, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1969, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2007

Connacht Senior Club Football Championship

2006

Championship Winning Teams

Roscommon

"1997": Aidan Cunniffe, Jimmy Gacquin, Seamus Og McDonnell, Michael O'Brien, Basil Mannion, Padraig Sugrue, Eddie Nestor, Tony Kilcommins, Padraig Kilcommins, John Tiernan, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien, Benny O'Brien, Frankie Dolan, Tom Og O'Brien(c), Tom Lennon.

"2005": Shane Curran, Donal O'Connor, Dara Donnelly, Robbie Kelly, Ger Ahearne, Kenny Noonan, Padraig Kilcommins, Mark O'Carroll, John Tiernan, Ian Kilbride, Darragh Blaine, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien (c), Senan Kilbride, Karol Mannion, Frankie Dolan.

"2006": James Martin, Robbie Kelly, Padraig Kilcommins, Enda Ruane, Eoin Mannion, Ger Ahearne, Niall Grehan, Mark O'Carroll (c), Karol Mannion, Darragh Blaine, Frankie Dolan, John Tiernan, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien, David "Jimmy Nail" O'Connor, Garvan Dolan.

"2007": Shane Curran, Enda Ruane, Ger Ahearne, Robbie Kelly, Donal O'Connor, Ian Kilbride, Peter Domican, Mark O'Carroll, Karol Mannion, John Tiernan, Frankie Dolan (c), Darragh Blaine, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien, Senan Kilbride, Cathal McHugh.

Connacht

"2006": James Martin, Robbie Kelly, Padraig Kilcommins, Enda Ruane, Donal O'Connor, Ger Ahearne, Niall Grehan, Mark O'Carroll (c), Karol Mannion, John Tiernan, Frankie Dolan, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien, Senan Kilbride, David "Jimmy Nail" O'Connor, Conor McHugh.

All-Ireland Medal Winners

Minor 2006

Peter Domican, Cathal McHugh, Robbie Gilligan.

Junior 2000

Shane Curran, Michael O'Brien, Basil Mannion, Brendan "Dixie" O'Brien, Karol Mannion.

U-21 1966

Gerry Mannion, Jim Keane

Minor 1951

John O'Brien, Frank McKevitt

Minor 1939

Paddy Donnelly, Larry Cummins