Antrim SFC Final: Glory for St Brigid's

Antrim SFC Final

St Brigid’s 0-21 Rossa 1-16

By Maghnus Dunne at Corrigan Park

St Brigid’s secured a first Antrim Senior Football Champions after edging out Rossa in a thrilling final at the end of a titanic battle by two points at Corrigan Park.

In a contest that swung back and forth throughout, Brigid's showed tremendous character and composure in the closing stages to hold off a determined Rossa challenge and secure the county crown.

Rossa made the perfect start when Stephen Beatty landed a two-pointer inside the opening two minutes, but St Brigid’s responded through Ronan McGrady. Gerard Walsh added another huge two-pointer for the Belfast side before McGrady replied in kind.

Colm Fleming raised another orange flag for Rossa as the sides traded blows, with JJ Higgins keeping St Brigid’s in touch before McGrady produced another excellent score. The Biddies gradually gained a foothold, and Higgins and McGrady helped them claw their way back into the contest.

Thomas Morgan briefly restored parity for Rossa, but scores from McGrady and Paul Bradley helped St Brigid’s establish a 0-10 to 0-8 half-time advantage.

Jack Dowling extended the lead after the restart, although Rossa refused to buckle. Dominic McEnhill and JJ Higgins exchanged scores before the decisive moment arrived when Diarmaid Rogan found the net to swing momentum in Rossa’s favour.

McEnhill levelled the contest from a free, setting up a tense final quarter. The sides continued to exchange scores, with Bradley, James Smith and Dara Quinn all contributing for St Brigid’s as the lead changed hands.

A superb two-pointer from McEnhill brought Rossa level once more, leaving the championship hanging in the balance.

However, St Brigid’s found another gear when it mattered most. Higgins delivered crucial scores, while Stephen Beatty’s excellent effort under pressure kept Rossa within touching distance.

Niall Duffy registered his first point of the afternoon before Higgins struck twice in the closing stages to give them breathing space.

McEnhill converted a late free, but St Brigid’s held firm to see out the remaining seconds and seal a memorable championship triumph after a pulsating final.

Scorers for St Brigid’s: JJ Higgins 0-7 (1f), Ronan McGrady 0-6 (1xtpf, 1f), James Smith 0-2, Paul Bradley 0-2, Dara Quinn 0-1, Jack Dowling 0-1, Niall Duffy 0-1, Patrick Finnegan 0-1.

Scorers for Rossa: Diarmaid Rogan 1-0, Stephen Beatty 0-3 (1 tp) Dominic McEnhill 0-3 (2F), Liam McEnhill 0-2 (1 tp), Gerard Walsh 0-2 (1 tp), Thomas Morgan 0-2, Michael Byrne 0-1 (45’).

St Brigid’s: Declan Heery; Oran Downey, John Morgan, Shay Campbell; Shea Downey, Joe Finnegan, Ronan McGrady; Jack Dowling, Patrick Finnegan; Ronan Boyle, Dara Quinn, Paul Bradley, Niall Duffy, James Smith, JJ Higgins

Subs: Patrick Finnegan off for Peter King (46’).

Rossa: Michael Byrne; Gavin McGrath, Gerard Walsh, Niall Crossan; Cormac McGettigan, Patrick Moyes, Michael McEnhill; Liam McEnhill, Eoghan McMenamin; Corey Walsh, Dominic McEnhill, Diarmaid Rogan; Stephen Beatty, Colm Fleming, Thomas Morgan

Subs: Eoin Fleming on for Niall Crossan (48’), Rory Grant on for Corey Walsh (52’), Fiachra McDonald on for Michael McEnhill (55’), Daire Morgan on for Diarmaid Rogan (61’).