Fitzgerald has last say as Brendan’s shade it

St Brendan’s 2-18 Causeway 2-17 (AET)

This game was packed with drama, comebacks, dismissals and outstanding individual displays.

In the end, a late Killian Fitzgerald point was all that separated the sides. However, the star man was John Egan who hit an incredible 1-12.

At the other end, Paul McGrath, a member of the Kerry All-Ireland U21 winning team, was in top scoring form, finishing with 0-12 for the losers.

St Brendan’s, with goals from Egan and Eoin McCarthy, led by 2-8 to 0-4 at the break and appeared set for an easy victory.

But the Causeway mentors introduced veteran John Mike Dooley at the start of the second half, and almost single-handedly, helped rescue his side with a couple of inspirational goals to force extra-time.

The excitement continued in extra-time, as Causeway appeared to have the momentum as they led 2-16 to 2-14 at half-time.

But St Brendan’s, thanks to Egan’s stunning accuracy, and late points from subs John Paul Leen and Kieran Fitzgerald, advanced to the decider. Pat O’Driscoll’s side finished the game with 14 men as Tom Moloney was sent off in normal time and in extra-time, they lost centre-forward Eoin McCarthy. Causeway’s John Mike Dooley departed in the final minute.

Scorers for St Brendan’s: J Egan (1-12, 0-4 frees) C Hussey (0-3) E McCarthy (1-0), T Moloney (0-1), J P Leen (0-1), K Fitzgerald (0-1)

Scorers for Causeway: P McGrath (0-12, all frees), John Mike Dooley (2—0), J Leahy (0-2), C Harty (0-2), B Murphy (0-1).

CAUSEWAY: T Flynn; F Carroll, J Fitzgerald, T Casey; T Barrett, A Fealy, B Murphy; J Leahy, E Fitzgerald; C Harty, M Delaney, P McGrath; K Carmody, P O’Connor, D Leahy.

Subs: J M Dooley for M Delaney, P Harty for E Fitzgerald, A White for T Barrett; S Goggin for P Harty.

ST BRENDAN’S: D Delaney; K Orpen, E Corridan, C Flaherty; D Moriarty, D Dineen, R Horgan; J Galvin, F Horgan; T Moloney, E McCarthy, C Hussey; D Wallace, A Dineen, J Egan.

Subs: JP Leen for J Galvin; K Fitzgerald for A Dineen, Tim Hanafin made up the extra man for St Brendan’s at the start of extra time.

Referee: S Hourigan (Limerick).