Gabriel Rangers power into county semi-final

Ballydehob/Schull men too good for a Mitchelstown side featuring Mark Keane and Cathail O'Mahony

Gabriel Rangers' Keith O'Driscoll protects the ball from Mitchelstown full back Fionn Herlihy in the Cork IAFC quarter-fnal clash at Kilmurry. Pic: Larry Cummins

Cork IAFC quarter final: Gabriel Rangers 0-13 Mitchelstown 0-10.

GABRIEL Rangers are into Cork's Intermediate AFC semi-final after beating Mitchelstown in this captivating battle in Kilmurry. Awaiting in the final four next weekend will be Glanmire.

Gabriels started well and got the opening three points, including a gem of a score by Keith O’Driscoll from a tight angle after the impressive Mark Cronin opened his scoring tally with a well taken point just moments earlier.

Mitchelstown, who had their AFL star Mark Keane in their side, saw Cork attacker Cathail O’Mahony showcase his accuracy with a succession of scores from frees to level the game up at 0-4 apiece after 15 minutes.

Shane Beston then put Mitchelstown ahead with a point after a clever pass by Keane to set him up.

Gabriels responded to level again through James O’Regan, before Cronin edged the Ballydehob/Schull based side back in front. The sides changed ends level though at 0-7 as Magee and Cronin exchanged points for their respective sides before the break.

Paddy O'Driscoll of Gabriel Rangers in action against Mitchelstownat Kilmurry.

Luka Bowen edged Gabriels back into the lead with a score early into the second half. Keane got a much needed Mitchelstown point on 40 minutes. But Gabriels were playing like a side possessed as O’Regan landed a pair of points to edge his side back in front at 0-11 to 0-8 after 45 minutes.

Though Dylan Price and O’Mahony reduced the deficit for Mitchelstown, Gabriels kept their foot on the accelerator and Mark Cronin put over further points to keep his side in the driving seat, edging towards the end of normal time.

Gabriels were reduced to 14 in stoppage time when David Roycroft was shown a second yellow, as Keane saw a goal chance for Mitchelstown saved well by Liam Hegarty in the Gabriels goal.

Scorers for Gabriel Rangers: M Cronin (0-6, 5f), J O’Regan (0-4, 1f, 1m), L Bowen, P O’Driscoll, K O’Driscoll (0-1 each).

Scorers for Mitchelstown: C O’Mahony 0-4 (0-3f), P Magee 0-2 (0-1f), S Beston, M Keane, J Sheehan , D Price 0-1 each.

GABRIEL RANGERS: L Hegarty; L Hodnett, D Regan, D Roycroft; D O’Shea, K O’Brien, K O’Sullivan; K Roycroft, S Kelleher; L Bowen, G O’Callaghan, P O’Driscoll; M Cronin, J O’Regan, K O’Driscoll.

Subs: J O’Brien for O’Shea (38), R O’Neill for Cronin (47, temp), Cronin for O’Neill (54).

MITCHELSTOWN: L Hannah; K Roche, F Herlihy, E Geary; J O’Sullivan, S Beston, S O’Sullivan; M Keane, C Hyland; S Kenneally, J Sheehan, D Price; C O’Mahony, P Magee, D Flynn.

Subs: D Dineen for Price (50), S Walsh for Kenneally (60).

Referee: Pat O’Leary(Kilmurry).