Ben O’Carroll scored 1-7 as St Brigid’s claimed a five-point victory over Corofin to land the Connacht senior football crown.
It was an interesting contest throughout. The Roscommon champions led 1-6 to 1-2 at half-time before a solid second-half display saw them win 1-13 to 2-5 at Dr. Hyde Park.
The opening ten minutes yielded one solitary score. Ben O’Carroll getting St. Brigid’s off the mark four minutes in.
O’Carroll's goal gave the Roscommon champions a five-point cushion nine minutes later. The corner-forward converted a penalty, awarded after Alan Daly was adjudged to have been fouled by Bernard Power.
Corofin eventually settled. Scores from Darragh Silke and Jack McCabe made it a three-point game four minutes later.
St Brigid’s subsequently moved seven points clear before Corofin fought back to make it a four-point game at half-time.
McCabe and Michael Lundy combined to set up Liam Silke who finished to the net past the onrushing Cormac Sheehy.
Corofin made it a one-point game nine minutes into the second half. Dylan McHugh with the second goal of the match for the Galway side.
An excellent passage of play culminated in Michael Farragher teeing up the Galway captain who palmed to the net from close range.
Brigid’s remained composed however. Two O’Carroll scores restored their three-point cushion two minutes later.
The sides subsequently traded two points before St.Brigid’s found another gear. Points from Bobby Nugent, Ciaran Sugrue and Brian Stack saw the Roscommon champions move six points clear.
Corofin pressed for a late goal to tighten the scoreboard but their efforts were unsuccessful. The St. Brigid's defence held firm as Jerome Stack's men landed a first Connacht title in 11 years.
St. Brigid's can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting against the Munster champions, either Kerry side Dingle or Cork's Castlehaven.
Connacht champions!! 🟢🔴 pic.twitter.com/lsumg5uedK
— Brian Carroll (@bcarroll17) December 3, 2023
