St Brigid’s have reached the All-Ireland senior club football final following a 1-11 to 0-10 victory over Castlehaven at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Just a solitary point separated the sides seven minutes from time before three unanswered points sealed a momentous victory for St Brigid’s.
The Connacht champions made a blistering start landing three points inside the opening five minutes. Bobby Nugent (two) and Brian Derwin on target.
Brian Hurley was Castlehaven’s main scoring threat during the first half, his opening two scores halved the deficit on ten minutes.
St. Brigid’s moved five points clear two minutes later. Eddie Nolan and Ben O’Carroll combined to set up Derwin who finished to the net.
Ciaran Sugure followed up with a point for the Connacht champions. Cathal Maguire and Brian Hurley replied as Castlehaven made it a four-point game.
The sides traded two points each during the remainder of the first half as St Brigid’s led 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time.
Castlehaven fight back
Michael Hurley opened Castlehaven’s second-half account seven minutes after the restart. Brian Hurley made it a two-point game two minutes later.
The Cork champions almost gained the upper hand on 43 minutes only for the woodwork to save St Brigid’s.
Brian Hurley played in the unmarked Rory Maguire, the Castlehaven full-back went for a goal but saw his effort hit the crossbar.
Castlehaven’s momentum was eventually halted on 48 minutes. Robbie Dolan ended a barren spell spanning 22 minutes as St. Brigid’s brought it back to a three-point game.
Hurley replied with two further scores, bringing his overall tally to seven points. Just one point separated the sides on 53 minutes.
St. Brigid’s dominated the scoring thereafter. Scores from substitute John Cunningham and Paul McGrath made it a three-point game deep into injury time.
Jerome Stack’s men were awarded a penalty right at the death. Ben O’Carroll calmly chipped the ball over the crossbar and sealed a four-point victory and progress to the All-Ireland final.
