O'Gara inspires Shelmaliers comeback as Castletown await in final

Former Dublin star Eoghan O'Gara starred for Shelmaliers 

Wexford SFC 

SOME Eoghan O'Gara magic following his half-time introduction inspired Shelmaliers to a second-half recovery to overcome Kilanerin in an excellent Wexford SFC semi-final at Chadwicks Wexford Park. They had three points to spare on the final whistle, 2-12 to 1-12.

In the first period Shelmaliers had been totally outplayed by a rampant Kilanerin outfit, with the young north Wexford side controlling the game and leading 0-10 to 0-5, a lead that should have been far greater given their dominance.

In an excellent display of fast, attacking football, Kilanerin full-forward Sean Forde contributed 0-5 during this period of dominance, four from frees, while Niall Hughes, controlling midfield, and the ever-dangerous Cian Hughes also got in on the scoring act.

Trailing 0-10 to 0-3, Shelmaliers managed two crucial scores in the lead up to the break through Arnie Murphy and Simon Donohoe, scores that gave them a considerable boost going in at the break.

Shelmaliers couldn't have been happy with their erratic first-half display, with former Dublin star O'Gara entering the fray at the interval.

After Eoghan Nolan pointed within one minute of the restart, O'Gara made his presence felt with an excellent point.

Kilanerin responded when Sean Forde won possession, laid off to Conor Kinsella who finished to the net with a splendid low left footed shot to give his side a 1-10 to 0-7 lead.

Glen Malone, who was immense throughout, kept his side in contention with two pointed frees, but it was through the final quarter that O'Gara made his presence felt.

Six minutes from the end he initiated a move that eventually led to Aidan Cash shooting to the net through a crowded goalmouth to dramatically bring the sides level, 1-11 each.

While Kilanerin regained the lead through a Niall Hughes point with five minutes remaining, O'Gara then forced a splendid save from keeper Tom Hughes. And with four minutes remaining he got on the end of a sweeping move to apply the goal finish from close in, helping the Shels bring off one of the great comebacks.

In the other semi-final, Brendan Halpin's sixth-minute goal proved crucial for reigning champions Castletown in a 1-12 to 0-11 victory over Gusserane O'Rahilly's.

Having built a 1-4 to 0-2 by the end of the opening quarter, Castletown looked in control, but it was Gusserane who reacted in positive style with excellent points through Sean Ryan, Ken Cahill and Cillian Kehoe, to go in level, 1-4 to 0-7 at the interval.

It was Castletown who made better use of their second-half chances with the experienced Ben Brosnan and Robbie Brooks kicking over excellent points. While Gusserane had points from Mark Rossiter and Graeme Cullen to stay in contention, Castletown withstood a late onslaught to set up a final meeting with Shelmaliers on Sunday next.