Brigid's star Ruaidhrí Fallon remains hopeful
Ruaidhrí Fallon of St Brigid's, Roscommon, with his 2025/26 AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year award during the AIB Club Player Awards at Croke Park in Dublin. The event marked the second time that the four codes of Hurling, Football, Camogie, and Ladies Football were celebrated together, honouring the best club players from across the country. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
With a gifted new generation of talent developed, St Brigid's have returned to prominence in recent years.
Two harrowing AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Finals have been suffered in the last three years, but Ruaidhrí Fallon remains adamant that the Roscommon outfit will remain relevant.
An absorbing 2026 decider was eventually won by Daingean Uí Chúis, but diligent work is being out by the Kiltoom club. The Ladies Football team in the club are showing real signs of promise, ensuring that significant hope is attached. "There has been a big push on both sides, as you know, there has to be volunteers driving that, both the LGFA and the men's side of things," Fallon says.
"They're behind it all, they lost to Kilkerrin-Clonberne, a powerhouse over the last few years. It is on the up in Brigid's, and hopefully it lasts for a while."
Being defiant is key for Brigid's according to Fallon. "We've had two finals in the last three years," he says.
"We'd a bit of a disappointing year in between that. You want to be involved on the big days, unfortunately we haven't got over the line on that big day.
"Surely, if we keep knocking on the door, we will get there sooner rather than later."
Ruaidhrí Fallon kicked a remarkable levelling point for St Brigid's at the end of normal time against Daingean Uí Chúis in the AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Final at Croke Park in January. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The Daingean Uí Chúis decider went the distance with Fallon an influential figure, landing two remarkable two pointers in a thrilling encounter. "Everyone of the 15 or 20 lads that played, wearing green and red that day, will look back on that day, they'll probably think they did a thing here or a thing there, that negatively affected it," Fallon reflects.
"That is just sport, both teams were evenly matched, they went out to play football.
"We heard it was a great spectacle for people to watch, but a lot happier for the Dingle boys travelling home the day after with the cup. Hopefully we will have our day."
Dealing with a defeat or setback is rarely easy. "Obviously, it stings, it never really goes away," Fallon says. "You just have to park it. We've been lucky enough, a few of us have went back in with Roscommon, and you start of a new season or what feels like a new season.
"Then, with the club, we enjoyed our few weeks after. We stayed together, which was the main thing, and between ourselves we'd a few trips away around the country. We stayed away from the south west for a while, we might head down over the summer."
Daingean Uí Chúis' clash with St Brigid's will always be remembered.
Fallon's sterling contribution throughout Brigid's campaign was reflected when collecting an AIB Team of the Year award on Friday at Croke Park.
