Pure relief as St Brigid’s claim first Antrim senior football title

St Brigid’s ended a 28‑year wait for an Antrim senior football crown on Sunday, beating O’Donovan Rossa 0‑21 to 1‑16 in the final at Corrigan Park. The south‑Belfast club, founded in 1998, were making their debut in the county final and turned a nervous start into a historic victory, lifting the Padraig McNamee Cup for the first time.

The game began poorly for St Brigid’s, who trailed 0‑7 to 0‑3 early in the first half. A spirited comeback saw them finish the half two points ahead. Inspired by 19‑year‑old JJ Higgins, who scored seven points, Cathal Murray’s side held their nerve in the second half despite a late Rossa goal, securing a two‑point win. The final whistle sparked a blue and yellow pitch invasion, with flags, flares and tears of joy as players and supporters celebrated.

Club stalwart Joseph Finnegan told BBC Sport NI, “Twenty‑eight years we’ve been waiting for this and it’s just unreal. It’s a massive moment for the club. This is only the start for us. It’s the best moment of my life bar none.”

Higgins, who turned 19 on Friday, was named player of the match. He reflected, “That’s what happens when you’re younger, you don’t have much fear. I kicked a few wides in the first half but I kept going. I had a good game against Dunloy in the semi‑final and I was still nervous for the final, but sometimes those nerves are good and they get you up for the game.”

Veteran teammate Jack Dowling, 34, praised the teenager’s composure. “We did our job and just gave it to the shooters. JJ never does anything spectacular, but he does the simple things repetitively. He’s relentless at the simple things.” Dowling, whose father Dermot was one of the club’s founders, has been on the senior panel for 18 years. After years of falling short in semi‑finals, he said the triumph felt surreal. “I knew it would come. Someone said to me during the week they didn’t think it would ever come, but I knew it would. I thought it would be sooner than this, but this is sweet.”

Niall Duffy, a long‑time supporter, could be seen reacting with disbelief as the historic first senior title was secured. The victory marks a new chapter for St Brigid’s, ending a long‑standing drought and setting the stage for future ambitions.