St Brigid’s made history in an all-Belfast Antrim SFC final, securing their first senior football title with a 0-21 to 1-16 win over O’Donovan Rossa.
After a nervy start for St Brigid’s, who were playing in their first final, they found their way into the game thanks to Ronan McGrady’s scores and they led by two points at half-time.
Despite Diarmuid Rogan’s goal for Rossa early in the period, St Brigid’s, who were founded in 1998, held on and came out victorious with a two-point win over their cross-city rivals.
O’Donovan Rossa made a great start as Stephen Beatty struck an early two-pointer.
Corey Walsh curled over a brilliant point to make it 0-7 to 0-4 in his side’s favour after 15 minutes with St Brigid’s struggling to get a foothold in the game.
Sean Fleming’s side remained calm under pressure early on, but Brigid’s had the antidote.
They came alive following their rocky start, and McGrady was vital, getting the next three scores to draw the sides level after 25 minutes.
JJ Higgins put Cathal Murray’s side in the lead for the first time, before Paudie Finnegan and Paul Bradley tagged on further scores to give their side a two-point lead at half-time.
After the break it was more of the same, with Higgins and McGrady doubling up for Brigid’s in the first four minutes to increase the lead.
Dominic McEnhill got Rossa going after the break and their urgency paid off when Rogan found himself tapping the game’s only goal into an empty net with one point separating the sides early in the second half.
The lead changed hands several times in the half, but St Brigid’s remained in control with Higgins getting the final three scores in added time as Rossa looked all at sea.
The final whistle spelt history for St Brigid’s as the field filled with blue and yellow flags and flares.