Brigids go into the West

BRIGIDS GO INTO THE WEST Easter weekend a group of players and supporters from St Brigids G.A.A club traveled to Dromahair Co Leitrim, the mission being to defend the Barney Mc Garrell memorial trophy. Eighteen months ago St Patrick?s of Dromahair came to Russell Park in the first of these matches and on that occasion Brigids won the match fairly convincingly but the defeat did not deter the Dromahair lads from making the most of their weekend. The Barney Mc Garrell trophy is the continuation of a long standing tradition between the two clubs which was started in the early eighties, by men like Johnny Stewart, Paddy Skehan, Herbie Hughes, and Matty Keane to name but a few. These visits by the two clubs was initiated by Barney Mc Garrell and so in his honour St Brigids put up a trophy to keep his memory alive, as well as providing the excuse for a good weekend either in Blanchardstown or Dromahair. This year it was the turn of Brigids to travel and travel they did with all the good intentions of making this a football weekend, however the script got lost though, as on Sat evening following a good meal in Gerry Kelly?s clubhouse, an enormous thirst followed and forced the Brigids lads to consume copious amounts of Coca Cola and 7 Up. Sunday morning came, probably a bit too early for some as the previous night?s disco may have deprived some of them of a good nights rest, but at 1pm it was time for a light lunch before they started to focus on the game ahead. This wasn?t exactly an easy task for the two mentors Sean Cunningham and Noel Cassidy, but there was no room for excuses, no room for sudden hamstring problems, no room for that last minute injury, as Noel affectionately known as "the beard" started to take command. The match started on the dot of 4pm in nice weather conditions on the local pitch alongside the river Bonet, set below Crevelea Franciscan Abbey where Barney rests, The scoring was opened by Brigids with a fine point, a second was added, but then a great effort from the sideline gave Dromahair their first point, the game started to get a competitive edge to it as the sides were scoring point for point up to the interval which saw Brigids with the slight lead of one point. After the oranges and the half time pep talk the game recommenced, and the tempo was increasing as both sides hotly contested every ball, the unusually large local crowd were being entertained to a fine game of football which had a championship feel to it , Then came disaster for the home side as Rory Mc Gowan put one in the top left corner of the net, this left Dromahair trailing by four points with just ten minutes to go, but St Patricks were not in the humor of giving up this particular fight as they replied with two points in succession, but Brigids pulled one back giving them a three point lead, Dromahair replied and scored another point and who would have taken bets on St Patrick?s scoring that possible goal but the whistle came too soon and the game ended 1.9 to 10points, this close result and the competitive edge that was to this game sets the scene nicely for the return match in Russell Park next year. Following the final whistle grave disappointment engulfed the St Patricks dressing room as they were fired up for this match and could have won it in the end. The Trophy was eloquently presented by Emily Mc Garrell, who spoke emotionally about what the occasion meant to her and the Mc Garrell family and thanked everybody for keeping the memory of her husband alive in the way he would have liked. Following the presentation of the Trophy to the St Brigids Captain Allan Hughes, the two clubs exchanged gifts to mark to occasion, and there was a selection of man of the match from each team. They were Willy Tyrell from St Brigids and Barry Loughlin from St Patricks; this brought the formalities to a conclusion. This was a terrific occasion where everyone Dubs Locals and other visitors joined in the spirit of the craic, and if by the remotest possibility that Brigids were never heard of before in these parts, well they have been heard of now and in the best possible light

Photos from the weekend in Dromahair

Return To Previous Page