Super St Brigid's find an extra gear to deny Delvin

There was joy for players, mentors and supporters alike as St Brigid’s captured the Westmeath Féile na nGael Division 3 title at sun-kissed Clonkill on Sunday April 21.

The Dalystown side showed tremendous character, resolve and skill in the glorious playing conditions to win after extra-time.

Delvin were looking the more likely winners for a long time and led at half-time on a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-5. The goal arrived early when the impressive Conor Smith found the net, his long-range effort going all the way to the St Brigid’s net.

Delvin played with greater fluency in the early stages and Ryan Denning’s point enhanced their position. However, St Brigid’s got their opening point after four minutes through Liam Weblin and his midfield comrade Dean Kelly then added their second minor.

Delvin responded with a free from Conor Smith before two St Brigid’s points left just the minimum between the teams: Liam Weblin and Dean Kelly (free) were both on target for the saffrons.

Delvin were two points clear again when Conor Smith converted a free, but in the final action of the half, Dean Kelly shot over from a placed ball to leave it delicately poised at the interval.

St Brigid’s equalised a minute after play resumed when Ben Loran shot over after Darragh Hanley sent a free into the danger area. Delvin ‘keeper Cian Smith made a fine save to deny Dean Kelly a goal after three minutes and Delvin were still in touch. Evan Dunbar had to save at the other end when Ryan Denning went for goal, but the resulting ‘65’ was sent over by Seán Vaughan for a fine Delvin score.

It was tit for tat at this stage as St Brigid’s went a point clear through Liam Weblin, before Conor Smith converted a free. Controversy followed when the referee produced three red cards as James Tierney and Dean Kelly (St Brigid’s) were joined by Dara Clune in incurring the ultimate sanction.

The next two scores went to St Brigid’s - Seán Gavin and Liam Weblin both notching frees as they led by a point with time ticking away and only seconds remaining. There was time for Conor Smith to level it up from a free (1-6 to 0-9) and this exciting final went to extra-time (two periods of five minutes each).

St Brigid’s remained with 13 players and Delvin with 14 when play resumed, with the only score of the first period coming from Darragh Hanley, who converted a free for the saints.

When play resumed, Liam Weblin sent a long shot into the danger area and the ball found its way to the Delvin net, putting St Brigid’s four points clear (1-10 to 1-6). A Ryan Denning point got Delvin within a score of the eventual winners again, but a goal from Niall O’Byrne Cleary eventually sealed victory for a determined St Brigid’s side.

While Seán Coyne got the final score of the game for Delvin, it was St Brigid’s who were celebrating when the final whistle sounded and Westmeath GAA coiste na nÓg chairman Barry Kelly presented the trophy to Liam Weblin and Dean Kelly.

Scorers - St Brigid’s: L Weblin 1-4 (0-1f), N O’Byrne Cleary 1-0, D Kelly 0-3 (2f), S Gavin (free), D Hanley (free) and B Loran 0-1 each.

Delvin: C Smith 1-4 (0-4f), R Denning 0-2, S Coyne and S Vaughan (‘65’) 0-1 each.

St Brigid’s: Evan Dunbar, Jack Arthur, Mikey Henry, Ciaran Perry, Ciaran Browne, Cian Fox, James Tierney, Liam Weblin, Dean Kelly, Sean Gavin, Darragh Hanley, Liam Brogan, Michael Glennon, Niall O’Byrne Cleary, Conor Byrne, Ben Loran, Conan Earley, James Geraghty, Aodhan Berry, Dylan Gammell, Ollie Clarke, Luke McDonnell, Sean Mullen.

Delvin: Cian Smith, Tommy Murray, Seán Coyne, Billy Murray, Patrick Gill, Conor Cassidy, Conor Clune, Conor Smith, Dara Clune, Liam Coyne, Seán Vaughan, Jack Berry, Michael Fitzgerald, Ryan Denning, Warren McEnroe, Trevor Nyagano, David Fenlon, Evan Moore, Ben Denning, Aaron Poynton.

Ref: Jonathan Carpenter (Brownstown).