Dublin SFC: Super-sub McCarthy fires Brigid's to second title
St. Oliver Plunketts Michael Brides closes in on St Brigids' Paddy Andrews during the Dublin SFC Final at parnell Park
St. Brigid's 0-10
St. Oliver Plunkett's 0-8
The Blanchardstown side scored three points in the last three minutes to decide an edgy affair which they nearly kicked away after racking up 10 wides, including seven in the first half. Afterwards, all the talk was not about marquee forwards like the Brogans, Jason Sherlock or Paddy Andrews, but about little-known St. Brigid's substitute McCarthy who, within moments of being introduced in the 43rd minute, kicked his first of two big frees to draw them level for the fifth time, at 0-5 apiece. McCarthy also hit a great point from play in the dying stages and was ultimately the difference between the teams.
Beaten finalists in 2008, this was another bitter pill for Plunkett's to swallow, but they can have few complaints after only registering four points from play. Bernard Brogan was inches wide with a goal chance, while brother Alan was also denied a certain goal by Brigid's wing back Gavin Kane. Cavan recruit Gareth 'Nesty' Smith was also left to rue three wides, including a costly late free from 25 metres out.
The sides were level three times in the opening half of a game which, given the forward talent on show, was surprisingly dominated by defences. At half-time, it was 0-4 apiece and the outcome remained in doubt for much of the second half until Brigid's late surge produced the winning scores from McCarthy, Ken Darcy and Odhran McCann.
St. Brigid's: S Supple; A Daly, M Cahill, G Norton; C Moran, S Murray, G Kane; B Cahill, J O'Loughlin; G McIntyre (0-1), P Andrews (0-1), M Cahill (0-1, a free); K Kilmurray; K Darcy (0-3, two frees), P Ryan. Subs: L McCarthy (0-3, two frees) for Ryan (43 mins), C Mullins for McIntyre (45), O McCann (0-1) for Kilmurray (54), C Doyle for M Cahill (60).
St. Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh: Philip Brogan; R O'Connor, S Lyons, M Brides; C Evans, Paul Brogan, S Dunne; R McConnell (0-1, 45), C Walsh; D Matthews, G Smith (0-1, free), A Brogan (0-3); A Moyles, B Brogan (0-3, 2 frees), J Sherlock. Subs: C Dunleavy for Dunne (ht); A Darcy for Matthews (48), C Daly for Smith (58).
Referee : G McCormack (Naomh Barrog).
