Kilbride bridged an 86-year gap at Hyde Park, Roscommon yesterday when they won their first senior football championship title since 1914 thanks to a deserved victory over the favourites St Brigid's in an entertaining final.
St Brigid's got off to a perfect start when Frankie Dolan side-footed to the net after just three minutes, but they failed to impress after that bright opening and by half-time Kilbride had fought back to level terms with free-taker Eddie Lohan getting three points of their 0-5 total.
The sides were level for the fourth time 10 minutes into the second half when Kilbride got through for the goal which turned the game. St Brigid's goalkeeper Shane Curran had advanced too far off his line and a quickly-taken free resulted in Stephen Lohan putting John Hanley through for the match-winning score.
The losers showed great spirit to claw their way back to level terms with 10 minutes remaining, but Kilbride were not to be denied and points from Hanley (two) and Stephen and Gerry Lohan sealed a shock win.
KILBRIDE: J Farrell; S Feeley, T McDonnell, D Gavigan; James Farrell, P Dowling, C Farrell; S O'Neill, D McDermott; R Burns, J Hanley (1-2); E Lohan (0-4, all frees), M McDermott (0-1, free), S Lohan (0-3), G Lohan (0-1).
ST BRIGID'S: S Curran; M O'Brien, S McDonnell, E Ruane; B Mannion, P Sugrue, J Tiernan; T Kilcommons, P Kilcommons; B Lennon, T Og O'Brien (0-2), B O'Brien, D O'Connor (0-3, two frees), F Dolan (1-3, two frees), K Mannion. Sub: T Lennon for B Lennon.
Referee: H Beirne (Tulsk).
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