St Brigid’s completed a landmark achievement for the club by winning the Antrim Senior Football Championship for the first time, overcoming city rivals O’Donovan Rossa in an all‑Belfast final at Corrigan Park.
Turning a slow start into history
The south Belfast side struggled in the opening exchanges, with Rossa leading early as Stephen Beatty struck a two‑pointer and Corey Walsh produced a fine score to make it 0‑7 to 0‑4 after the first quarter. St Brigid’s found a response through Ronan McGrady, whose scores drew his team level and helped swing momentum before half‑time.
JJ Higgins, who had been influential in the semi‑final upset over holders St John’s, put Cathal Murray’s team into their first lead shortly before the interval. St Brigid’s went into the dressing room with a slender advantage, leading by two points.
Second half: a tense, see‑saw affair
The second period began in similar fashion, though it was O’Donovan Rossa who struck the only goal of the match when Diarmuid Rogan tapped the ball into an empty net following a defensive error. That strike narrowed the gap to a single point, and the contest remained tight as the lead exchanged hands several times.
St Brigid’s steadied and, in key moments, Higgins and McGrady supplied the scores that ultimately decided the final. In stoppage time Higgins added the final three points as Rossa struggled to mount a late comeback. When the full‑time whistle sounded the field filled with blue and yellow in celebration of a first senior championship for the club.
What the win means locally
- Historic milestone: St Brigid’s now join the roll of honour as first‑time county senior champions.
- Belfast dominance: The final underlined the strength of club football within the city, producing an all‑Belfast decider.
- Community impact: Expect widespread local rejoicing and increased interest in the club’s development pathways.
The victory will be celebrated across south Belfast as a major achievement for players, management and supporters after a season that delivered steady progress culminating in county success.
| Period | Key moments |
|---|---|
| First 15 minutes | Rossa lead 0‑7 to 0‑4, strong start from Beatty and Walsh |
| Late first half | McGrady scores to level; Higgins puts Brigid’s ahead; two‑point half‑time lead |
| Second half | Rogan goal for Rossa; narrow exchanges; Higgins scores late to seal two‑point win |
For St Brigid’s, the title is the culmination of planning and performance on the pitch. For local club football it is a reminder of the depth and competitiveness present in Belfast, and the achievement will likely inspire players at underage and adult levels across the city.
