St. Brigid's qualify for third successive AIB Connacht Club SFC
11/11/2012 - 20:17:43Roscommon kingpins St. Brigid's qualified for their third successive AIB Connacht Club SFC final by defeating Salthill-Knocknacarra at Pearse Stadium.
Brigid's emerged as 0-15 to 0-8 winners to book their place in the provincial decider against Mayo's Ballaghaderreen at MacHale Park on Sunday, November 25.
Midfielder Karol Mannion had a huge influence for Brigid's, using his athleticism and passing skills to drive the visitors forward, while a hamstring injury forced key Salthill forward Seamie Crowe off.
In his absence, much of the Galway champions' attacking plans centred on Sean Armstrong who kicked two points from play and was fouled twice for pointed frees.
But the influence of man-of-the-match Mannion, together with Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride, was telling for a Brigid's side whose hard-nosed defending was also a key factor.
Meanwhile, Sligo champions Curry fell to a 1-15 to 1-7 defeat in the other Connacht semi-final in Castlebar as Ballaghaderreen progressed to the final.
Free-taker Barry Regan was on song for the Mayo champions, firing over eight points in all as Ballagh' recovered from the concession of an early goal.
Curry nipped into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead thanks to David Maye's seventh-minute goal, but they had centre back John Feeney sent-off 13 minutes into the second half.
At that point, Ballagh' had taken a 1-10 to 1-5 advantage and closing points from Regan (0-3), James Kilcullen and Keith Rogers settled the issue.
The goal for Ballagh' arrived early on in the second half with Kilcullen soloing through the middle to score. It was part of a big response from the victors who were 1-5 to 0-6 down at the break.
Sligo star Adrian Marren led the charge for Curry, even when they were down to 14 men. He finished with a tally of 0-4.
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