Strokestown enjoy Silke finish

Strokestown ... 2-11 St Brigid's ... 0-11 A brilliant second-half display earned Strokestown their 10th Roscommon senior football title, and their first since 1992 before an attendance of 3,500 at Hyde Park, Roscommon yesterday.

St Brigid's outclassed the winners in the first half to deservedly lead 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval; although Strokestown always looked more likely to find the net.

It took a fine save from Shane Curran in the St Brigid's goal to keep out a Luke Dolan effort after 24 minutes.

The second half was only 30 seconds old when the game took an unexpected twist after Kevin J Dolan booted the ball to the net for an equalising goal after the St Brigid's defence was split wide open.

Former county star Dolan put Strokestown ahead for the first time since Kevin Dolan had scored the opening point of the match in the fourth minute, and although St Brigid's twice levelled with points from John Tiernan and David O'Connor, Strokestown continued to dominate, with Conor Silke and Pearse McGinley helping them open up a two-point gap.

O'Connor and Dolan exchanged points before the big Strokestown full forward sent a long ball through to Silke, who managed to squeeze the ball past the advancing St Brigid's goalkeeper 10 minutes from full time to ensure his club what was only their second championship title in modern times.

STROKESTOWN: D Hanly; D Cassidy, R Dolan, A Cassidy; D Donlon, M Beirne, E Collins; R Owens, D Hagan (0-1); S Flaherty (0-1f), P McGinley (0-2), J Rogers; KJ Dolan (1-2), L Dolan (0-4, 3f), C Silke (1-1). Subs - R Shiel for Rogers; L Shiel for Owens, K Bosquette for Flaherty

ST BRIGID'S: S Curran; M O'Brien, S Óg McDonnell, K Noonan; J Kelly, B Mannion, P Kilcommins; K Mannion, T Kilcommins (0-1); J Mannion (0-1), B Lennon, C Sheehy (0-2f); D O'Connor, (0-3, 2f), B O'Brien (0-2), J Tiernan (0-2). Sub: E Nestor for Tiernan.

Referee: G O'Conamha (Clann na nGael).

Ballyhaunis took their first Mayo senior hurling championship title yesterday when, after trailing by eight points 10 minutes into the second half, they recovered to fire home four goals and earn an exciting 4-10 to 3-8 victory over neighbours Tooreen.

SCORERS: Ballyhaunis - F Browne 1-3, M Curley 1-2, P Higgins 1-2, D Walsh 1-1, K Higgins 0-2; Tooreen - M Trench 1-2, D Grealy, S Ganley 1-1 each, S Hunt 0-3, S Morley 0-1