St Brigids opened their Roscommon SFC putting down a marker as favourites for the championship.
Anthony Cunningham’s were sharp and clinical, scoring an 18-point victory over Elphin on a night when the hosts showed off their new facilities.
However, Brigids were in no party mood with Shane Cunnane coming close in the first move. From the resultant two 45’s Elphin were somehow still level.
Indeed, Brigids showed their teeth in the fourth minute as Eddie Nolan fisted the ball to the net after a great team move.
Elphin keeper Aaron Brady stepped up to convert a sixth minute free in response. However, Brigid’s were on form.
Nolan and Conor Hand either side of a Paul McGrath free had Brigids 1-3 to 0-1 ahead on 15 minutes. Bobby Nugent converted a 2-point free, a free and one form play to move Brigid’s nine ahead on 22 minutes.
Elphin finally got a break with 24 minutes on the clock. Evan Gunn slipping the ball under Conor Carroll after the initial attacked was blocked by a Brigid’s defender.
Brigid's fit, strong and effective
However, luck wasn’t on Elphin’s side when Aaron Brady’s attempted two-point free came back off the post. However, Brigid’s responded well. Points from Nolan and Hand leaving Brigid’s 1-9 to 1-1 ahead at half-time.
The Kiltoom outfit picked up where they left off after the break. Two Ciaran Sugrue points either side of a Nugent free moving Brigid’s 11-points clear.
Elphin were caught out in their next attack as Cunningham’s fit and sharp side turned the ball over. A brilliant Hand lay off, saw Sugrue grab Brigid’s second goal on 38 minutes.
The game was in the bag for Brigid’s as Anthony Cunningham started to run his bench. Still though, converted frees from Paul McGrath, Bobby Nugent and McGrath from play saw Brigids lead 2-15 to 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
Aaron Brady converted a two-point free for Elphin’s first score in 45 minutes. This saw Cunnane (free), Nolan and Ruaidhri Fallon respond with points.
Brady converted a second two-point free in the final minute of normal time, bringing his tally to 0-5. Billy McDonnell sent over an icing point in the first minute of injury time.
When your luck is out it’s certainly out as Sam O’Rourke looked to have scored Elphin’s sixth point of the game. However, this was ruled out when the linesman rule three-back breach for the hosts.
Shane Cunnane rubbed salt in the wounds with the final kick of the game as St Brigid’s won out 2-20 to 1-5. A marker win from the Kiltoom side.
Elsewhere on opening night in Group B, Michael Glaveys scored a big win over Western Gaels. In group A, St Faithleachs stunned Padraig Pearses and Clann na nGael go the better of St Dominics. While in group C Boyle scored a statement win over Roscommon Gaels
