St Brigid’s v Garrycastle, Pearse Park, 2.00pm

Saturday, February 18
AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final
St Brigid’s (Roscommon) v Garrycastle (Westmeath), Pearse Park, 2.00pm

This can only be described as the unlikeliest of semi-final pairings. St Brigids’ presence in the ‘last four’ wouldn’t have stretched the predicting skills of many members of the fourth estate as the Roscommon side overcame club legends Nemo Rangers at this juncture 12 months ago. However, Garrycastle, despite being provincial finalists and semi-finalists over the past two seasons, appeared destined to maintain their bridesmaid role having let Dublin side St Brigid’s reel in their eight-point lead in the Leinster decider at Tullamore.

However, in injury time Conor Cosgrove lofted over the winner, giving Garrycastle their first provincial crown, and indeed Westmeath’s first Leinster title in the Senior Club Championship. With that win the Lake County became the 23rd to make it to the final four of the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Club Championship leaving just nine who have yet to grace the semi-final stage.

Any suggestions that Garrycastle will be happy with their lot, having claimed a first-ever Leinster title, are surely wide of the mark. The fact that they face neighbours and keen rivals St. Brigid's will sharpen their desire to make it all the way to Croke Park, for a win over the Connacht champions would bestow enormous bragging rights for Garrycastle in the local rivalry.

The key battle could well be between the St Brigid’s defence and the Garrycastle attack. Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists haven’t conceded a goal in their three matches of the current campaign while the newly-crowned Leinster title-holders have raised the green flag six times in the same number of outings. Should St Brigid’s keep their net intact this afternoon, they could well be back in Croke Park next month.