Solan has St Brigid’s in his sights

Barry Solan celebrates Ballaghadereen's Mayo county final victory – they now face St Brigid's on Sunday (Nov 25) in the Connacht final

By Damian Dolan

The presence of Barry Solan ensures an added interest in these parts in Sunday’s Connacht Club SFC final between Mayo’s Ballaghadereen and Roscommon’s St Brigid’s, who’ll be going for their third provincial title in a row.

Solan, who for the past three years has been strength and conditioning coach to the Laois senior team, was part of the St Brendans side that almost humbled Mayo champions Crossmolina in 2002 at Ruislip, as well as the London team that came agonisingly close to stunning Roscommon three years later on the same pitch.

He’s therefore well used to being cast in the guise of the underdog and that’s just as well as St Brigid’s will be firm favourites on Sunday to advance to the All Ireland Club SFC.

In contrast, Ballaghdereen, nestled right on the Mayo/Roscommon border, haven’t appeared in the provincial decider for 40 years.

To read more see the November 24 edition of the Irish World