’Salle march into semis
Passage were boosted by a goal from Eoin Kelly after 16 minutes, but Jake Dillon replied in kind for De La Salle seven minutes later, and his second deep into added first-half time enabled the champions to lead 2-9 to 1-4 at the break.
With John Mullane rifling over the points — half a dozen in all — and former county man Bryan Phelan helping himself to four, ‘Salle remained in cruise control. Passage never threw in the towel however but goals from Kelly in the 53rd minute (he ended with a tally of 2-4) and substitute John Mcleane in injury time only helped to give the scoreline a more respectable appearance.
The double-header at Fraher Field on Saturday provided two quarter-final games of high drama as well as shock victories for Tallow and Ballyduff Upper over Lismore and Mount Sion, respectively.
Leading 0-16 to 0-15 with the game in injury time, Lismore looked to have finally shaken off the challenge of their near neighbours after a hectic local. But, in the most tension charged of finales, super-sub Shane “Fin’’ McCarthy emerged as the Tallow hero when he finished William Henley’s centre to the net.
Not over yet, however, and in one last surge Dan Shanahan was cruelly denied when his goal effort came crashing off the bottom of an upright before being swept to safety. The arch-rivals were deadlocked at the break 0-7 each with Maurice Shanahan at the top of his form, ending with 11 points.
John Prendergast was also superb at midfield and it was Lismore who eased into the lead as full time approached. But with David O’Brien, James Murray, Evan Sheehan, and Thomas Ryan driving Tallow on they turned victory into defeat with McCarthy’s priceless last gasp goal strike.
It was even closer in the second game with 20 minutes of extra-time needed before Ballyduff Upper booked their passage into the “semis’’ with a 0-22 to 1-17 win over Mount Sion.
Ballyduff laid out their stall from the throw in with the outstanding John Twomey, Stephen Molumphy and Shane Kearney all on target in less than three minutes. Sion had their first score from Ken McGrath, but they were playing catch up for most of the half until Ian Galgey’s point on the stroke of half time gave them the lead for the first time, 0-10 to 0-9, which they carried into the break.
By the three quarter stage Ballyduff were back in front again, 0-13 to 0-11, but Martin F. O’Neill’s 51st minute goal regained ‘Sion the lead, and when Galgey quickly and sweetly tacked on a point it was looking good for them. In a tremendous finish, however, Brendan Hannon’s equalising point from an injury time free was no less than Balyduff deserved.
Extra-time, and now it was Ballyduff on the rampage with four unanswered points from Jamie Kearney, former county defender Tom Feeney, an irrepressible John Twomey, and Shane Kearney putting them firmly in the driving seat. ‘Sion did manage to halve that deficit in the second extra-time period, but stout Ballyduff defence and a wonder save by goalkeeper Adrian Power ensured the victory spoils went deservedly where they belonged.
The last of the quarter finals provided five star entertainment for the fans at Fraher Field last evening with Ballygunner emerging 2-15 to 1-14 winners over a brave and battling Fourmilewater. The Gunners did the damage in the opening half when two superb Brian O’Sullivan goals helped them to a commanding 11 point half-time lead, 2-12 to 0-7.
The semi-final draw made last night is: De La Salle v Ballygunner; Tallow v Ballyduff Upper.
Both games will be played on the weekend of October 1 and 2.
- Hurling All Star Michael “Brick’’ Walsh will be plying his club trade in the intermediate grade next season after Stradbally lost a senior championship relegation play off against Roanmore 0-10 to 0-6 at Walsh Park on Saturday.
While Walsh played majestically throughout, his endeavours were still not enough to see off last year’s intermediate title winners, and so Stradbally’s unbroken 12 year stint in the top flight was brought to an end.
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