BRIGID'S great adventure ended on the Blakestown Road. Only a point in it, 1-9 to 1-8.

Brian Boru's travelled home to Tipperary with the Tesco All-Ireland Intermediate title safely in the trolley.

Nowlan Park was declared unplayable during the week. Brigid's would be playing very near to their own front door.

A mighty crowd arrived. There was hardly a seat left in the stand. St Peregrine's did a super job. And all were grateful for the roof over their heads. Sunday brought wind and driving rain, and a high wind at that.

The pitch was in good order. And there was a bright programme. And good music too.

The reporters had their headline written well before the break -- a game of two halves.

Boru's had the gale in the first period. It blew into the car park end. They declared at 1-8 to no score. 'Would it be enough?' was the question over the half-time cuppa.

transpired

Just about, as it transpired. Brigid's stormed back right from the first whistle of the restart. They came within a point, 1-8 to 1-7, but, in what was Boru's first attack of the second half, Trisha Hickey sent over the crucial point after 53 minutes.

Brigid's pegged it back to a point with five minutes to go. It was a long five minutes. Compelling stuff. Boru's then did a Cork on it, keeping the ball with crisp, short passing. Their composure under pressure was remarkable.

Even as Brigid's chased the equaliser deep in Tipp territory, Boru's just kept on finding the shirts with neat, clever hand passing.

Their support play and overall fitness deserves full credit. And, overall, it was a most enjoyable contest. Brigid's began the hour well. They engineered a cluster of early openings; bad luck and admirable defending denied them.

But once Boru's settled they began to dictate the script. They hit some charming points. Their goal came in the 18th minute, a big dropping shot from Claire Grogan that dipped under the bar.

Jennifer Grant and Grogan struck the best of the Boru's tally. Brigid's battled on, running hard at the Tipp defence when possible.

Their most clear-cut chance was when Noelle Healy got through in the 20th minute only to see Nora Noonan make a critical save with her left leg. Healy had earlier struck the upper post.

A couple of first-half scores would have been welcome for Brigid's. Yet the signs were looking good as Healy flicked the ball to the Tipp net following a left-wing centre from Orla Brennan within a minute of the resumption.

Elaine Kelly (2), Healy and Aine Burke hit quick points. It was all Brigid's now, although Aine Cullen became the second player to be sin-binned in the 43rd minute. Boru's Aishling Kenneally also saw yellow in the 24th minute.

Brigid's maintained the tempo. Colleen Barrett, a gem from Aisling Kelly and a free from Elaine Kelly brought the Dubs back to within a point.

Right half-back Colleen Barrett was leading the Blanch charge. Healy was also coming very deep to win possession and deliver it long.

The Russell Park girls kept ringing the bell. They had eight second-half wides.

Suddenly, Boru's began to get hold of the ball again. They were able to manufacture a couple of attacks. And when Hickey lofted over, their confidence soared.

Brigid's still kept at it, but Boru's just grew taller. Never once did they aim for row Z. And soon came the golden whistle to confirm their most famous day.

Nobody doubted their conviction. A Premier production and no mistake. Football has come a long, long way in Tipperary.

Brian Boru's: N Noonan; N Gilmore, A O'Dwyer, J Peters; K Sweeney, C Condon, A Kenneally; O Fleming, J Grant (0-1); E Myles (0-2), C Grogan (1-2), C O'Dwyer (0-1); T Hickey (0-1), L Grogan, M Morrissey (0-2). Subs: C Ryan for Gilmore (39); M Slattery for L Grogan (45); K Barry for Kenneally (56).

St Brigid's: C Lowry; P Bruen, S Barrett, A McKenna; C Barrett (0-1), A Cullen, A Molloy; R Kelly, S Furlong; K Murphy, E Kelly (0-4, 2f), O Brennan; A Burke (0-1), N Healy (1-1), A Kelly (0-1). Sub: S Fay for A Kelly (57).

Ref: G Corrigan (Down).

- Niall Scully