Brave Castlehaven beaten by St Brigid's in the All-Ireland football semi-final
Brian Derwin of St Brigid's and Thomas O'Mahony of Castlehaven during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final match at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Phicture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
CASTLEHAVEN’S All-Ireland dream is over after being defeated by Roscommon’s St Brigid’s in the SFC semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
James McCarthy’s side died with their boots on in this All-Ireland last four encounter and that’s all you can ask for. The Haven just came up against a St Brigid’s side who were just that small bit better on the day.
St Brigid’s got their goal after 12 minutes to push them five points clear and despite Castlehaven’s brave efforts, the Connacht side were able to see out the match.
The Hurley brothers – Brian and Michael and Damien Cahalane were serious injury doubts prior to the game, but all three started this one and played their part in a gritty performance.
It took a few minutes for both sides to figure each other out. Castlehaven did have a chance to get the first score but unfortunately Brian Hurley was unable to convert a free. St Brigid's got into their groove as they hit three points on the trot in the space of a minute and a half, Bobby Nugent with two and a Brian Derwin white flag, 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes.
Castlehaven did register a score after six minutes, a fine Brian Hurley white flag, but they were playing second fiddle at this stage against a St Brigid’s side who were able to kick points from all angles. Ben O’Carroll split the posts for the Roscommon club, a very good effort despite being under pressure from the Haven rearguard.
An outstanding 45 from Brian Hurley cut the deficit down to two, but St Brigid’s got a crucial score after 12 minutes when Derwin billowed the back of the net giving Haven goalkeeper Darragh Cahalane no chance, 1-4 to 0-2. The Cork champions response was spirited, and were unfortunate not to get a goal of their own, Brian Hurley played in Jack Cahalane, but the latter’s effort hit the crossbar just after the first quarter.
St Brigid’s were clinical when they went up the pitch in the opening 30 minutes, and patient build up play resulted in Ciarán Sugrue popping the ball over the bar. Points from Cathal Maguire and Brian Hurley kept the West Cork side in touch, 1-5 to 0-4 after 24 minutes. The closing stages of the first-half were keenly contested as the Haven kicked two of the last four points of the half, but trailed 1-7 to 0-6 at the interval.
It was a slow start to the new half, in front of a crowd of 3,325, the first score didn’t arrive until the 38th minute when Michael Hurley pointed and that was quickly followed by a white flag by his older brother Brian, and it was game on, 1-7 to 0-8.
Another goal chance went begging for the Haven, Brian Hurley laying the ball on a plate for Rory Maguire, but his effort smacked off the crossbar with 18 minutes remaining, with the goal gaping. St Brigid’s first score in the second-half arrived after 47 minutes through a Robbie Dolan white flag, 1-8 to 0-8.
Two Brian Hurley frees left just a point between the teams with seven minutes to go. St Brigid’s sub John Cunningham pushed his side two points clear. The game ticked into injury-time, but the Roscommon side managed it superbly and scored two points in injury-time. St Brigid’s got a penalty right at the end, but O’Carroll decided to chip it over the bar.
Disappointment for Castlehaven as they lose at the last four hurdle of the All-Ireland for the fourth time in their proud history.
B Derwin 1-1, B O’Carroll (pen), B Nugent (f), 0-3 each, P McGrath, C Sugrue, R Dolan, J Cunningham 0-1 each.
B Hurley 0-7 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), C Maguire 0-2, M Hurley 0-1.
C Sheehy; A Daly, B Stack, P Frost; R Fallon, R Stack, P McGrath; E Nolan, S Cunnane; C Hand, C Sugrue, R Dolan; B O’Carroll, B Derwin, B Nugent.
J Cunningham for B Derwin (44), M Daly for S Cunnane (53), C Gleeson for B Nugent (63).
Darragh Cahalane; J O’Regan, Damien Cahalane, R Walsh; T O’Mahony, R Maguire, M Collins (c); C Cahalane, A Whelton; C O’Sullivan, B Hurley, C Maguire; S Browne, J Cahalane, M Hurley.
C O’Driscoll for S Browne (h-t), J O’Driscoll for C O’Sullivan (57), M Maguire for C Cahalane (60).
David Coldrick (Meath).
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