Holders and hot favourites St. Brigid's needed a late goal from Damien Kelleher to end 14-man Elphin's brave challenge in yesterday's Roscommon SFC final at Dr Hyde Park.

St. Brigid's 1-9
Elphin 0-7

Seeking their first title since 1957, Elphin gave an excellent account of themselves against last season's beaten All-Ireland club finalists, but it wasn't enough as Kelleher's major with four minutes remaining put the seal on back-to-back successes for the powerful Kiltoom outfit.

Favoured by the wind in the opening half, Brigid's hit the front after just 40 seconds when Cathal McHugh pointed. Fintan Cregg levelled for the underdogs and Michael Callery was unlucky to be denied a goal in the 15th minute when Brigid's corner back Niall Grehan prevented his shot from crossing the goal-line.

Elphin suffered a major setback when their centre back Paddy O'Connor was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card in the 21st minute. Frankie Dolan slotted two frees to push Brigid's further ahead before Damien Cregg replied for the challengers. However, a fine point from the otherwise subdued Senan Kilbride saw Brigid's go into the break holding a 0-6 to 0-2 lead.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Elphin refused to wilt and had the margin down to just two points by the 46th minute thanks to points from Fintan Cregg (two, one '45 and a free) and Benny Rock. But St. Brigid's then showed their experience as two long-range points from the outstanding Karol Mannion and Frankie Dolan put them back in the driving seat before Kelleher's late major settled the outcome.

Frankie Cregg pointed a late free for Elphin but they couldn't avoid defeat in the final for the second year-in-a-row.

Scorers - St Brigid's: F Dolan 0-4 (3f), D Kelleher 1-0, S Kilbride 0-2, C McHugh, P Kelly, K Mannion 0-1 each. Elphin: Fintan Cregg 0-3 (2f), Frankie Cregg 0-2 (1f), B Rock, D Cregg 0-1 each.

St. Brigid's - J Martin; N Grehan, D Donnelly, D Sheehy; E Sheehy, P Domican, G Cunniffe; K Mannion, G Dolan; D Dolan, C McHugh, D Kelleher; P Kelly, S Kilbride, F Dolan. Subs: I Kilbride for Kelly (46).

Elphin - R Collins; J Carney, R Brady, D Cregg; K Brady, P O'Connor, S Beirne; S Tiernan, B Cregg; M Callery, Fintan Cregg, G Brady; B Rock, Frankie Cregg, M Glancy. Subs: G Cregg for Callery (44), C Rock for G Brady (52), D Hynes for Tiernan (57).

Ref - M Parker (St Faithleach's). Tweet

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