Manager Gerard Houston proud of everything players have given for St Brigid's

Of course there was regret, you wouldn’t be human if there wasn’t but for manager Gerard Houston, the overriding emotion last Sunday was one of pride in the efforts of the St Brigid’s players in the Connacht LGFA Junior Club Championship Final.

Claremorris ended a remarkable run of success with a 2-13 to 2-8 victory in Abbey Park, ending a run of 18 games without loss with the Leitrim champions ruing some bad misses over the course of the hour, a fact Gerard acknowledged after the game.

“That’s the story of the game,” agreed Gerard, “They got on top early, we brought them back again after halftime. Then we got the penalty but the penalty comes off the post and we had a lot of wides - a different day, it would have been us that’s for sure.

Heartbreak for St Brigid's as Claremorris claim Connacht title - GALLERY

Heartbreak for St Brigid's as a clinical Claremorris denied them their dreams of Connacht LGFA Junior Club glory on Sunday in Abbey Park Boyle with the Mayo side prevailing 2-13 to 2-8. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there with his camera, capturing some great shots of both sets of fans enjoying an enthralling encounter ..... see who you can spot!

“But I couldn’t ask any more of these girls, the entire panel for the whole year has put in some shift. They’ll be back again next year in Senior in Leitrim, they’re a young team too, the nucleus of it but I have to be proud of them and what they’ve given all year.”

Claremorris’ strong start didn’t help Brigid’s settle in the game but Gerard felt that the failure to drive home some good play with scores was the crucial factor: “Claremorris’ strong start did affect us but we’ve went behind before in games, against Dromahair and Drumkeerin in the semi-final and we came back from that. 

“We have the know-how on how to get back but it was just the luck of the day, the misses definitely hurt.”

However, Gerard stressed that he wasn’t blaming anyone for misses, particularly highlighting the contribution of Siomha Quinn to Brigid’s run in 2023. “I wouldn’t be putting misses on anybody - Siomha missed a penalty but what Siomha has given us this year has been amazing, that’s what she is all about.”

St Brigid's rue missed chances and slow start as clinical Claremorris edge thriller

ST BRIGID'S 2-8 CLAREMORRIS 2-13

Looking back, Gerard agreed St Brigid’s had a good year: “A really good year - we’ve won the League, Championship and the Spring League. We’ve gone 18 competitive games unbeaten until today so we’ve had a good year, definitely. Disappointing way to end the year but sure, that’s football.”