St Brigids are through to their second All Ireland club senior football final in three years after they defeated the Ulster champions Scotstown by four points 1-16 to 1-12 in a hard fought and tense All Ireland semi-final at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday. Brigids had the perfect start when Brian Derwin blasted home a brilliant goal after only six minutes but the Monaghan men were back on terms aided by a Jack McCarron goal in the 12th minute. The sides were locked together at 1-6 apiece by the 25th minute but points from Paul McGrath, a two pointer from Bobby Nugent and a converted free from Nugent saw Brigid’s go in at the break leading by 1-10 to 1-6.
The second half was a thrilling affair as Brigid’s battled to hold on to their lead. A two pointer from Conor Hand and another from a free from Bobby Nugent ensured that Anthony Cunningham’s men led by 1-15 to 1-9 by the 48th minute. Scotstown staged a late rally that yeiled points from Jack McCarron (3) and Michael McCarville saw the lead down to four but Brigid’s saw out the win to qualify for the final where they will face Dingle on Sunday week next in Croke Park. There were many Brigid’s heroes on the day not least Ruaidhri Fallon and Sean Trundle both of whom saved almost certain Scotstown goals with heroic blocks in the 34th and 59th minutes respectively. Brigid’s will be worried about the fitness of Mark Daly and Brian Stack for the final and both suffered injuries in the second half.