Antrim Senior Football Championship - Final
St Brigid's 0-21
Rossa 1-16
At Corrigan Park

ST Brigid's earned their first ever Antrim Senior Football crown after they managed to survive what looked to be a determined Rossa comeback and clinch a two-point win at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a final that had everything, the Biddies were forced to dig deep as Rossa threatened to snatch the title, with Diarmaid Rogan’s second-half goal turning the contest on its head. But when the pressure peaked, St Brigid’s found another gear, with JJ Higgins delivering the crucial scores to settle a bruising championship battle.

Rossa came out swinging and landed the first major blow when Stephen Beatty fired over a two-pointer inside two minutes. Ronan McGrady responded for St Brigid’s, but Gerard Walsh blasted over another two-pointer for Rossa as the challengers made their intentions clear.

McGrady answered in kind, and the early exchanges set the tone for a contest that was never going to be settled without a fight.

Thomas Morgan added a fine score for Rossa before Colm Fleming produced another huge two-pointer off the deck. Rossa were finding their range from distance, but St Brigid’s refused to be knocked off course.

McGrady was beginning to cause problems, and his accuracy helped drag the Biddies back into the contest. Higgins also started to make his mark, replying to Rossa scores as the sides traded blows in a ferocious opening half.

Ronan McGrady continued to lead the charge, clipping over another score before bringing the sides level. Thomas Morgan briefly restored parity for Rossa, but St Brigid’s finished the half with greater purpose.

Higgins edged the Biddies in front before Patrick Finnegan and Bradley added important scores, leaving St Brigid’s with a 0-10 to 0-8 advantage at the break.

It was a slender lead, but the Biddies had earned it the hard way.

Jack Dowling stretched the advantage after the restart, only for Rossa to hit back through Higgins and Dominic McEnhill as the tempo continued to rise.

Then came the moment that threatened to blow the final wide open when Rossa found a major just in the nick of time.

Diarmaid Rogan found the net to turn the game on its head, giving Rossa the momentum and leaving St Brigid’s facing their biggest test of the afternoon.

McEnhill followed up with a free to level the contest, and suddenly the two-point half-time deficit had been wiped out. Rossa had their tails up, and the championship was there for the taking.

But St Brigid’s would not fold.

Paul Bradley edged the Biddies back in front, only for McEnhill to respond with another leveller. James Smith added his name to the scoresheet before Dara Quinn nudged St Brigid’s ahead again, but Rossa remained firmly in the hunt.

The decisive exchanges were played at a frantic pace, with neither defence given a moment's peace. McEnhill then produced a superb two-pointer to bring Rossa level once more, leaving the sides locked together as the final entered its closing stages.

It was championship football at its most unforgiving. Every possession mattered, every score carried weight, and there was little room for error.

Mick Byrne landed a 45 for Rossa as the pressure mounted, but Niall Duffy registered his first score of the afternoon for St Brigid’s with a timely contribution.

McEnhill kept Rossa within touching distance from a free, while Beatty produced another excellent score under pressure to ensure the challengers were still breathing down the Biddies’ necks.

St Brigid’s needed somebody to take responsibility. Higgins duly obliged.

The Biddies' talisman struck a crucial score to help edge his side clear before further contributions from James Smith and Higgins strengthened their grip on the contest. With the clock running down, Higgins delivered again, giving St Brigid’s the breathing space they had been searching for.

Rossa were not finished, and McEnhill converted a late free to keep the contest alive. But the Biddies had done enough damage, and there was no time left for another Rossa assault.

The final whistle sparked celebrations as St Brigid’s sealed a hard-earned two-point victory and the 2026 Antrim Senior Football Championship.

Rossa deserve credit for pushing the champions to the limit, and Rogan’s goal gave them every reason to believe the title was within reach. But when the game was there to be won, St Brigid’s found the answers.

They absorbed the pressure, weathered the Rossa storm and finished with the conviction of champions.

Higgins stood tall when his team needed him most, and the Biddies delivered the decisive blows in a final that demanded nerve, character and quality.

Rossa threw everything at them. St Brigid’s took the punches, hit back harder and left with the prize.

Rossa XV: Michael Byrne; Gavin McGrath, Gerard Walsh, Niall Crossan; Cormac McGettigan, Patrick Moyes, Michael McEnhill; Liam McEnhill, Eoghan McMenamin; Corey Walsh, Dominic McEnhill, Diarmaid Rogan; Stephen Beatty, Colm Fleming, Thomas Morgan

Subs: Eoin Fleming on for Niall Crossan (48’), Rory Grant on for Corey Walsh (52’), Fiachra McDonald on for Michael McEnhill (55’), Daire Morgan on for Diarmaid Rogan (61’)

Rossa Scorers: Diarmaid Rogan 1-0, Stephen Beatty 0-3 (1xTP) Dominic McEnhill 0-3 (2F), Liam McEnhill 0-2 (1xTP), Gerard Walsh 0-2 (1xTP), Thomas Morgan 0-2, Michael Byrne 0-1 (1x45’)

St Brigid’s XV: Declan Heery; Oran Downey, John Morgan, Shay Campbell; Shea Downey, Joe Finnegan, Ronan McGrady; Jack Dowling, Patrick Finnegan; Ronan Boyle, Dara Quinn, Paul Bradley, Niall Duffy, James Smith, JJ Higgins

Subs: Patrick Finnegan off for Peter King (46’)

St Brigid’s scorers: JJ Higgins 0-7 (1F), Ronan McGrady 0-6 (1xTPF, 1F), James Smith 0-2, Paul Bradley 0-2, Dara Quinn 0-1, Jack Dowling 0-1, Niall Duffy 0-1, Patrick Finnegan 0-1