Stokes shines for Broadford
The victory sets up an intriguing all-west final, with newcomers Athea providing the opposition to the 2001 winners at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week.
Drom-Broadford wasted no time in getting down to business, with Stokes carving out the opening goal for Ray Lynch after 16 seconds.
Muiris Gavin, got his side off the mark five minutes before Brian Geary and Chris O’Neill restored equality. By now the city side had lost their influential midfielder Brian Geary with a finger injury.
Drom Broadford, with Stokes and John Brouder gaining supremacy in the central area, had a good spell with John O’Kelly (2) and Garrett Noonan restoring their advantage. Monaleen responded with a goal from Owen Keating, with Gavin the provider.
Jason Stokes clipped over a point, but Jason O’Brien and Keating had the 2002 winners ahead for the first time at 1-5 to 1-4.
Monaleen managed just one point in the second half, from a Maurice Gavin free after 37 minutes. With Tom McLoughlin driving Drom- Broadford from centre back, they put three on the board, from Ray Lynch and two from Stokes to advance to the final.
Scorers: Drom-Broadford: R. Lynch 1-1, J. O’Kelly 0-3, J. J. Stokes 0-2, G. Noonan 0-1
Monaleen: O. Keating 1-1, M. Gavin 0-2, C.O’Neill, J. O’Brien, B. Geary 0-1 each
DROM-BROADFORD: E. Scollard; L. Buckley, T. Stack, M. Clancy, D. O’Connor, T. McLoughlin, C. Curtin; J. Stokes, J. Brouder; J. O’Kelly, P. Donnelly, G. Noonan, D. Scollard, S. Buckley, R. Lynch. Subs. M. Reidy for D. Scollard, N. Conway for Clancy.
MONALEEN: P. O’Halloran; D. Bourke, J. Cormican, F. Nash, F. Melody, J. O’Halloran, M. Cummins; B. Geary, J. Marsh; F. Kensie, A. Kitson, J. O’Brien, M. Gavin, C. O’Neill, O. Keating. Subs: A. McEntee for Geary, C. O’Boyle for Kensie, JP Stokes for McEntee, P. Kenerk for O’Neill.
Referee: M. Mann (Ballybrown)
