Molloy's late points save Brigid's boys from shock defeat

St. Brigid's VS 1-18Athenry VS 3-12

STEPHEN GLENNON AT DUGGAN PARK

IT took two late Brian Molloy points to save reigning All-Ireland champions, St. Brigid's VS from the ignominy of defeat having been pushed all the way by a determined Athenry VS in this hugely entertaining Connacht Vocational Schools senior hurling final at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Saturday.

Although St. Brigid's had dominated for long periods, a 58th minute goal from Clarinbridge sharpshooter and man of the match Barry Keane secured Athenry VS the lead for the first time of the game as they now held a 3-12 to 1-16 advantage.

It looked as if a major shock was on the cards but then up stepped Molloy with two super scores from play on 59 minutes and the second minute of injury-time to spare the blushes of a St. Brigid's outfit which, really and truly, did not play to their full potential.

Still, Athenry VS deserved to get something out of this contest. So many times, St. Brigid's threatened to open them up, but they hung on in there and with Keane – tallying 2-9 on the day – in scintillating form, they always gave themselves a chance of getting a result.

For the most part, though, St. Brigid's looked the better side and after just 14 minutes they led 1-6 to 0-4. The goal arrived nearing the conclusion of the first quarter when a long delivery broke inside and St. Thomas' Gerald Kelly was onto it in a flash and he made no mistake with his finish.

With Molloy (two frees), Jamie Ryan (2), Darragh Dolan and Brian Dolan all registering some neat points, St. Brigid's were great value for their five-point lead; particularly given Athenry VS were wholly reliant on Keane’s dead ball accuracy.

Indeed, it took 16 minutes before Athenry registered their first point from play through outstanding midfielder Sean Linnane and that score seemed to stir the passion in his team-mates as the challengers hit Brigid’s for 1-2 in a three-minute spell.

Brian Dolan did post another great point in this frantic spell, but it was the Athenry goal that elevated this contest to something far beyond mediocrity and predictability. Keane did the spadework along the end line and when he dinked the sliotar teasingly across the goalmouth, Abbeyknockmoy’s Dean Keary was on hand to scoop the ball to the net, albeit at the second attempt.

That 19th minute goal reduced the deficit to just one, 1-7 to 1-6, and really fired up proceedings as both sides traded points throughout the remainder of the half. Eanna Burke, Brian Dolan – with his third – and Darragh Dolan were on the mark for Brigid’s while Keane – who else? – responded in kind with two frees and another from play.

It meant that St. Brigid’s – laden down with All-Ireland winners and marquee names – were just one point ahead at the break, although, admittedly, they would have a decent wind at their backs heading into the second period.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.