After their semi-final appearance in 2006 when they were expected to win the intermediate title, St. Brigid's were very positive about last year's campaign and their ambitious committee even enlisted the help of former Westmeath senior hurling manager, Tom Ryan, on different occasions. Although they failed to Castlepollard in the last four, there's a real determination in the Dalystown club to keep things going, as Damien Maher established when speaking to chairman, Jim Keegan. St. Brigid's are quite unique in the sense that they draw players from three different football clubs in their area, Tyrrellspass, St. Mary's Rochfortbridge and Milltownpass. While dual clubs like Raharney, Castletown Geoghegan and Delvin find the going tough at times, having to contend with three ambitious football clubs is surely an unenviable task. But the saints, who won intermediate titles in 1995 and 2000, are determined to keep hurling alive in the Dalystown area and are looking to the future with a certain degree of confidence. "It's very challenging alright, but it's not all doom and gloom. We have to be positive about the future and we are determined to work at underage level to ensure we have the players coming though," said Keegan. "We reached the semi-final of the intermediate championship and lost to a Castlepollard team well capable of reaching the last four at senior level. But what we have to do is focus on the underage and I'm hoping to get more people involved with the different underage teams to build for the future. We don't just want to go senior and come straight back down - that's a disaster for any club," he added. The saffrons were determined to build on their great run in 2006, when they surprised most hurling folk in the county by emerging as serious title contenders. Limerick's Tom Ryan was brought in to assist on a few occasions in 2007 as St. Brigid's looked to take things to the required level. "Tom Ryan was up a few times with us and he's a great guy. There's no nonsense with him, fellas know where they stand and he was a help to us,"remarked Keegan. St. Brigid's began their '07 intermediate championship campaign when they faced Delvin at Cusack Park and, following a gutsy display, held the eventual finalists to a draw (2-10 apiece). At half time there were just two points between the sides, Delvin ahead by 1-6 to 0-7, but two second half goals ensured St. Brigid's of a share of the spoils. In the second round at The Downs in early June, St. Brigid's took on Cullion and produced another fine display to record a three-point victory, 2-8 to 0-11. Both St. Brigid's goals, from Darren Quinn and Michael Geraghty, arrived in the first half and they led by 2-4 to 0-7 at the interval. Cullion produced a determined second half bid, but the saints were strong enough to fend them off. However, they travelled to Kinnegad to face Turin in the third round, where they suffered a nine-point defeat, 3-11 to 1-8. The first half was a disappointing affair and Turin led by 2-2 to 0-6, meaning the match was still up for grabs. But despite an early second half goal, St. Brigid's failed to make headway and they conceded a third major near the end which finally put the issue beyond any doubt. In the fourth round the saints faced Clonkill's second team and it proved another disappointing day. In fact St. Brigid's lost on the very same scoreline for the second time and now badly needed another victory to get their campaign back on track. That duly arrived in August when they took on Southern Gaels in Hogan Park, Moate. Two goals did the trick and the saints won by eight points in the end, 2-17 to 3-6. However, in their final group game, St. Brigid's lost to Castlepollard on a 1-16 to 0-8 scoreline. Nevertheless, their two victories over Cullion and Southern Gaels meant that St. Brigid's qualified for the semi-final of the championship after finishing in fourth position. The bad news, though, was that they had to again face favourites, Castlepollard, in the last four. St. Brigid's were looking for a much improved display this time around and hoping to push 'Pollard a lot closer, but they conceded a first half goal and trailed by seven points at half time (0-2 to 1-6). The game was still up for grabs at that stage, but despite the fine efforts of players like John Peppard, Dermot Faulkner and Darren Quinn, St. Brigid's were no match for the eventual intermediate champions, who win by 4-13 to 0-5. Quinn, Faulkner and Philip Sheridan were the only scorers for St. Brigid's and it's very much a case of back to the drawing board for 2008. "I thought we might get closer to Castlepollard, but they finished very well. Admittedly, they were going to win the game anyway, but they added on a couple of goals near the end to put real daylight between the teams," observed Jim Keegan. "However, we have to remain positive. Our under 21 side lost by just a point to Brownstown in the semi-final of the championship and Brownstown were only beaten by a point in the final. That was good and what we need to do now is focus on developing things at underage level," he added, explaining how he will be working with the club's under 12 stars in the season ahead. Last year he was in charge of the minor side. "We are looking at the schools in the area and trying to develop players from there." Being squeezed by three football clubs presents its own challenges, though. "It's not going to be easy with three football clubs. Tyrrellspass will be aiming for three in-a-row at senior level, while St. Mary's will be making an all-out effort to win the junior championship and Milltownpass are pushing hard at intermediate level. But we're determined and will not let this die," concluded Keegan. The St. Brigid's team which contested the intermediate hurling championship semi-final against Castlepollard was: David Glennon; Gordon Gonoud, John Peppard, Shane Gleeson; Eanna Gallagher, Kevin Connell, Bernard Kiernan; Dermot Faulkner, Philip Sheridan; Andy Devine, Paul Brady, Michael Geraghty; Robbie Kenny, Thomas Geraghty, Darren Quinn. Subs used: James Keegan, Declan Judge, Stephen Treacy. Under 14 success St. Brigid's under hurlers enjoyed a great victory over Castlepollard in the Feile Na nGael Shield Final at Cusack Park in early June. The victors led by 1-5 to 0-0 at half time and maintained their push for honours in the second half, with the goals coming from Ciaran Daly, Ben Gavin and Sean Deegan. It was Deegan who lifted the winners' trophy at the end of the game, following the presentation by Minor Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan. It was a deserved victory for St. Brigid's on the day, with Kieran Gill and Ian Hyland prominent in defence and Sean Deegan and Dermot judge a powerful combination at centre field. Ciaran Daly, who scored 1-2 in total, took his chances really well and the skilful Conor Slevin caught the eye with a fine display that included three points from play. The under 14 hurlers also reached the premier final where they lost to an impressive Castletown Geoghegan side. The St. Brigid's team which captured the Feile Shield was: Danny Galvin; Stephen Keegan, Sean Judge, Niall Cully; Luke Gallagher, Kieran Gill, Ian Hyland; Dermot Judge, Sean Deegan; Conor Slevin, Joe Guiden, Fergus Murtagh; Jamie Egerton Ben Gavin, Ciaran Daly. Subs used: Matthew Cunningham, Stephen Nally, Evan Gill, Chris Timmons, Jonathan Daly, James Gallagher. Tweet

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