They have enjoyed their fair share of on-field successes down through the years, but last Saturday will arguably go down as one of the more memorable days in the history of the St Brigid's GAA club in Roscommon.
Courtesy of a 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Padraig Pearses at Dr Hyde Park, the Brigid’s men claimed the 19th senior county championship in their long and varied history – which was also Roscommon SFC title number 13 for the Kiltoom-based outfit since the turn of the century.
A short while before the 2.30pm throw-in for that decider, Abby Curran and the Brigid’s ladies footballers squeezed past Glencar/Manorhamilton by the slenderest of margins (3-07 to 1-12) in an away fixture at the semi-final stage of the Connacht senior football championship.
This game arrived only three weeks on from their own county championship final win against Clann na nGael and Curran is thrilled the Kiltoom side have been able to carry momentum from this triumph into the provincial series.
"We were delighted," Curran said. "It was a very tough game up in Leitrim against Glencar/Manorhamilton. They were a very, very strong team. I think it was great for us to get over the line. It was a real test of character for us. We had to dig deep and show a lot of resilience, and trust in each other to get over the line."
"We’re delighted and a one-point win in a Connacht semi-final is very sweet. Wins like that bring our team close together and gives us great confidence now heading into the next challenge.
"It was a great day for our club and for our community [last Saturday]. The lads winning the county final for the 19th time. It was a great day and there’s a great buzz around the place. Great excitement in the community. We’re all really looking forward now to pushing on to Connacht."
A day after Brigid’s made their most recent appearance in a Connacht senior ladies football championship final on 27 October, 2012, Kilkerrin-Clonberne were crowned Connacht intermediate club winners with a 1-11 to 2-5 win over Hollymount of Mayo.
However, in the 13 years that have followed, the Galway outfit have marked themselves out as one of the most formidable club sides in the country. In addition to winning each and every one of the Galway senior football championships they have competed in since returning to the top-tier in 2013, Kilkerrin-Clonberne have secured nine Connacht senior championship titles – including the last seven on the bounce.
Additionally, last December saw the Tribeswomen claiming their fourth AIB All-Ireland senior club championship crown in succession. A number of teams from across the land have attempted to halt their winning march in recent times and Brigid’s will become the latest outfit to take on the all-conquering Kilkerrin-Clonberne in tomorrow afternoon’s Connacht SFC showpiece at O’Rourke Park in Castlerea.
Although overcoming the Galwegians is one of the toughest challenges imaginable in club football at the moment, it is one Curran is ready to embrace.
"They are the benchmark of ladies gaelic football and we know we’ll have to give it 120%. I suppose for us it’s about focusing on our own performance at the same time and making sure we bring the intensity and what we can control. We’ve put in a lot of hard work this year, so it’s just about trusting in our preparation and backing ourselves.
"Big games like this don’t come around too often. I suppose as well we want to enjoy the occasion, embrace the challenge and leave everything on the pitch. It’s exactly where we want to be, playing the best team in the country at the moment and against some of the best footballers in the country. It’s a fantastic opportunity."
Like so many within the world of the LGFA, Curran didn’t have far to look for guidance when she was making her way through the underage ranks of St Brigid’s and Roscommon. Her father Shane 'Cake’ Curran was a renowned goalkeeper at both club and inter-county level, and was between the sticks when Brigid’s were crowned All-Ireland senior club football champions with a final victory over Ballymun Kickhams on St Patrick’s Day 2013.
He was also part of the management team when an Our Lady’s Bower side that Abby captained made it all the way to an All-Ireland Schools Senior ‘C’ Championship decider in 2022. While he was keen for her to carve her own path in Gaelic football, she acknowledges her father has been a major influence.
"The 2013 All-Ireland final is one that I’ll always remember. Myself and my sister Lauren, I think we nearly went to every training session that year down in St Brigid’s. We have some great memories of Dad playing football and running out onto the pitch after matches. Being in the dressing rooms in Croke Park. He has had a huge influence on my career.
"He was involved with us in St Brigid’s about two years ago and then he was involved in some of our underage county teams as well [in addition to Our Lady’s Bower]. Obviously his advice is great on trying to improve. I became my own player, but he has definitely played a massive part in that as well."
Curran has also followed in the footsteps of her father by representing Roscommon at the adult inter-county grade and was a virtual ever-present for the primrose and blue throughout 2025. A difficult year saw the Rossies suffering demotion to Division 3 of the Lidl National Football League and having to come through the relegation play-offs in the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship, but Curran – who recently completed a course in sports and exercise management at UCD – is nevertheless optimistic about what 2026 could hold for the county.
"We had a bit of a tough year with Roscommon. Obviously getting relegated to Division Three wasn’t something we set out to do and championship didn’t go our way, but I think there was a lot of young girls in. A lot of girls who mightn’t have played a lot of county football before," Curran added.
"Obviously our main aim now will be to try and get out of Division Three, and get back up to Division Two. Playing against the top teams."
