Played in ideal conditions in Parnell Park on a balmy Sunday evening, this match was an enthralling encounter between two very evenly matched teams. Ballyboden settled the quicker even though Brigids registered the first score with a superb score from Paul Clerkin. However, Ballyboden responded and their wing forward, Niall Mac Morrow, scored three great points.

The Brigids defence superbly anchored by stalwart full-back, Eoin O?Brien, coped very well with this pressure and from a great puck out by the same O?Brien, wing forward Paul Clerkin again got his hands on the sliotar and stormed his way through the Boden defence and rifled the roof of the net with a pile driver form 14yards. The Brigids crowd went mad but they weren?t left to savour this for long as the sliotar was very soon in the heart of Brigids defence again and a twenty metre free was awarded to Ballyboden. Up stepped midfielder and free-taker, Mark Lambert, and Brigids fan?s hearts trembled! He struck for goal but the Saints defenders stood firm and corner back, Cathal Doyle, stopped it on the line as halfback Sean Brady cleared it to safety.

The Saints were unfortunate to lose wing back Geoff Mullen to an injured knee early in the half. He had been superb in the group matches the previous day and was a big loss to the team. However, Ryan McAnerin replaced him and was a very effective substitute. Ballyboden registered the last score of the half with a free scored by Lambert to leave the sides all-square.

The second half was a much more tense affair with scores at a premium. Ballyboden had more chances but registered a number of  wides over the twenty minutes. They opened the scoring

with a point only for the play to return to Brigids forwards with ace midfielder, Alan McCarrick, taking a shot, which went inches over the bar.

Inspired substitute Conor Brennan (on for Brendan Roche) in the corner had a beautiful point to put Brigids in the ascendancy. Not for long though as Boden went up field again and equalised. A few minutes before the final whistle, the killer punch came when a poor line ball by Brigids was punished by Ballyboden to give the south-siders the lead. Unfortunately, time ran out for the boys from Castleknock and Blanchardstown and the F?ile title stays in Firhouse for another year.

Once the initial disappointment lifted it was great to know that the All Ireland Feile loomed and should these two teams meet again there would be an opportunity to reverse the result.

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