Brigids bid for three-in-a-row

AIB Connacht Club SFC Semi-Final: 

Salthill/Knocknacarra (Galway) v St Brigids (Roscommon) on Sunday at Pearse Stadium at 2.30 pm

Seamus Duke 

This is a very eagerly awaited Connacht semi-final as St Brigids’ quest for a third provincial title in a row continues at the home of the Galway champions on Sunday. An interesting twist to the clash will be that former St Faithleachs and Roscommon captain Gary Cox will be lining out for the Galway men against Brigids on Sunday. Gary was on the St Faithleachs side which lost to Brigids in the county finals in 2006 and 2007.

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AIB Connacht Club SFC Semi-Final: 

Salthill/Knocknacarra (Galway) v St Brigids (Roscommon) on Sunday at Pearse Stadium at 2.30 pm

Seamus Duke 

This is a very eagerly awaited Connacht semi-final as St Brigids’ quest for a third provincial title in a row continues at the home of the Galway champions on Sunday. An interesting twist to the clash will be that former St Faithleachs and Roscommon captain Gary Cox will be lining out for the Galway men against Brigids on Sunday. Gary was on the St Faithleachs side which lost to Brigids in the county finals in 2006 and 2007.

  There are many observers who are of the opinion that Salthill/Knocknacarra represent the biggest threat to Kevin McStay’s men in Connacht this year after an impressive run through the Galway championship which culminated with a 0-12 to 0-7 win against Tuam Stars in the county final.

   The Galway champions have several excellent players in their ranks and they are managed by Belfast native Gerry Hughes who has been living in Galway for 18 years. 

  Captain and full-back Finian Hanley has been playing football at the top level for many years past and he leads the defence with authority. Cian Begley and Derek O Flaherty are also top class defenders, both of whom have been very prominent throughout the championship campaign to date.

  Former Roscommon star Gary Cox will be lining out at midfield alongside Conor Healy. Up front Salthill/Knocknacarra will be looking to the class of Sean Armstrong and the guile of Seamie Crowe to get the match winning scores. Both players have been prolific so far in this championship and they will have to be watched closely by the Brigids defence on Sunday. Watch out also for former dual inter-county star Alan Kerins who is also an integral part of this Salthill/Knocknacarra side.

  Brigids come into this semi-final on the back of a very impressive display against Leitrim champions Melvin Gaels in the quarter-final, however they have a number of injury doubts as they prepare for this game.

  Shane Curran is still troubled by a leg injury and is doubtful for the game. Talisman and scorer-in-chief Frankie Dolan is recovering after an injury that he sustained in the semi-final win and it is hoped that he will be fit to line out on Sunday. However his brother Darren Dolan is very unlikely to be fit to play. 

  Others that are doubtful for the game are Garvan Dolan and Eddie Egan, who came on as a sub against Melvin Gaels and scored 1-1. Nevertheless Brigids still have a very strong hand to play on Sunday.

  Ronan Stack, Darragh Donnelly, Peter Domican and Ian Kilbride will be expected to lead the defence on Sunday. Karol Mannion will be started at midfield and there are a number of options available to Kevin McStay as to who he may partner him with.

  Up front Senan Kilbride, Frankie Dolan (if fit), Eoin Sheehy, and Conor McHugh will be started, but there are many more options available including Garvan Dolan, the returning Cathal McHugh.

  This will be a huge test for Brigids and they will have to be at their best to win this game.

  But I think that this game is part of an overall plan that will lead to Connacht title success, and after a poor display in the county final Brigids were back on track in that semi-final win against Melvin Gaels.

  Brigids will have to shut down the threat of Sean Armstrong and Seamie Crowe, and if they can do that they will be half-way there. Then if Frankie Dolan is fit and Brigids can get enough ball into Senan Kilbride they can win the match by two or three points.

Match odds: Salthill/Knocknacarra 13/8 v St Brigids 4/5; Draw 13/2.

Prediction: St Brigids

Roscommon People

Issue: 9th November 2012