Dubliners show no sign of slowing

LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL St Brigid's (Dublin ) 1-20 Horeswood (3-8):IT'S NOT without some contradiction that, with the intercounty season in lockdown to prevent any over-exertions, St Brigid's have now played seven games in the last eight weeks – and are looking fitter, stronger and more productive with each one. So much for burn-out.

The Dublin champions do get a two-week break now before their Leinster club football semi-final against Portlaoise, back in Parnell Park, although there is always the danger that might slow their apparently unstoppable momentum. There was nothing here to suggest St Brigid’s can’t recapture the Leinster title they won for the first and only time in 2003 (before losing the All-Ireland semi-final to An Ghaeltacht).

In what was their sixth successive weekend of club action, St Brigid’s absorbed a three-goal onslaught from Horeswood in the first half, before outplaying them in the second half. In the process they racked up 1-20, all but two points of which came from play.

It was also another superb team effort, with the full-forward line of Ken Darcy, Ken Kilmurray, and the sublime Philly Ryan hitting an amazing 12 points between them – all from play – while Paddy Andrews chipped in with 1-3, including the goal four minutes from the end that ultimately sank the Wexford champions. On top of that there was a man-of-the-match display from John O’Loughlin, who was brilliantly influential from start to finish.

Barry Cahill was also as conspicuously creative as ever, and given the lengthy season he’s endured with Dublin, it’s a wonder he’s still able to kick a ball. “Yeah, it’s tough enough going,” said Cahill. “But we’ve probably used 25 players over the last few weeks, which shows we’ve a good squad, a good balance, and are not over-reliant on any individuals. And we’re still feeling pretty fresh.”

He was philosophical about the fact he’ll miss the Dublin team holiday to San Diego at the end of the month: “Sure I’ll have plenty of time for holidays. Leinster club campaigns don’t come around too often.”

There could be few complaints for Horeswood. Their big fear was the five-week lay-off since the Wexford final, although as a dual club, they also had a Leinster junior hurling campaign, up until last week, which gave about 10 of the football panellists some competitive action. There were actually the slightly livelier team in the first half – at least on the scoreboard:

Declan Murphy claimed their first goal after four minutes, and although St Brigid’s responded with five points without reply, Horeswood were making a good contest of it.

They levelled it again on 21 minutes with their second goal, by David Shannon, after a sweet pass from PJ Banville. Then just before the break they added a third, booted into the net by Banville, after Shane Supple had failed to hold a free from Shannon. So the Wexford champions went in at the break in front, 3-2 to 0-8.

“Our first half was disappointing,” admitted Cahill, “ their three goals were real killers, and something we’ll have to cut out in two weeks’ time. But at half-time we had a good chat, and were determined to push on in the second half . . . Like in previous games, against Ballymun, Kilmacud, we were down at half-time and finished very strong, and that stood to us again.”

ST BRIGID'S: S Supple; S Murray, C Freeman, G Norton; A Daly, M Cahill, G Kane; B Cahill (0-1), J O'Loughlin; C Mullins (0-1), P Andrews (1-3), M Cahill (0-1, free); K Darcy (0-2), P Ryan (0-6), K Kilmurray (0-4). Subs: C Doyle for Freeman (23 mins), D Plunkett for Murray (38 mins), L McCarthy (0-1, 45) for Mullins (42 mins), O McCann (0-1) for Cahill (49 mins)

HORESWOOD: S O'Hanlon; S Collins, J Hearn, D Larkin; E Shiely, L O'Brien, B Hearn; T Howlin, P Murphy; N Collins, C Deely (0-1), Darren O'Reilly; D Murphy (1-0), David Shannon (1-7, 0-4 frees), PJ Banville (1-0). Subs: M O'Hanlon for Murphy (41 mins), Darren Shannon for O'Reilly (43 mins), Darwyn Hart for Shiely (46 mins), Derek O'Reilly for Larkin (49 mins).

Referee: D Brazil(Offaly).