Boyle and Strokestown to contest novel Roscommon SFC final

October 10, 2022

Boyle's Donal Smith. ©INPHO/James Crombie.

It was a momentous weekend for football in North Roscommon as Boyle and Strokestown qualified for the Fahey Cup decider.

Boyle reached their first county senior final since 1927 thanks to a 1-12 to 0-12 victory over St Brigid's at Hyde Park. Former All-Ireland kingpins St Brigid's led by five points before Donie Smith's 20th minute penalty brought the winners back into contention.

Brigid's led by 0-9 to 1-3 at half-time, but Boyle rallied in the third quarter with points from Robbie Dolan, Ben O'Carroll and Shane Cunnane ('45) to hit the front and that's where they stayed until the final whistle.

In the other semi-final, Strokestown progressed to their first final in 20 years following a 2-8 to 0-11 win over Roscommon Gaels.

Frankie Dolan's Gaels side had taken out county and provincial champions Padraig Pearses in the quarter-final, but found themselves trailing by 0-6 to 1-5 at the interval after Colm Neary netted in the 22nd minute.

The Gaels resumed with scores from Peter Gillooly, Mark Purcell and Richard Hughes to take the lead, but a defensive mix-up led to Paddy Brogan raising Strokestown's second green flag and they sealed a famous victory with points from Diarmuid McGann, Keith Murphy and Cathal Lavin.


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