Sligo SFC: Shamrock Gaels second half comeback secures another day out against Coolera-Strandhill

REPLAY: Niall Murphy of Coolera-Strandhill in action against Evan Lyons of Shamrock Gaels. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Sligo SFC final: Coolera-Strandhill 3-13 (3-2-9) Shamrock Gaels 2-16 (2-3-10)

DAVID Quinn’s two-pointer free equaliser in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time keeps Shamrock Gaels’ title dream alive as they came from behind to force a draw with the holders, Coolera-Strandhill, in a pulsating Sligo SFC final at Quigbar in west Sligo.

Coolera-Strandhill were looking to create history by winning the Owen B Hunt Cup for the third successive time - which would be a first for them - having already retained the title last year as well as memorable provincial success.

Although this was unknown territory for Shamrock Gaels, with this being their first county championship final in this grade since 1994, they were previously county champions in 1990 and 1992. Several sons and nephews of those title-winners were in action decades later.

Coolera-Strandhill, breeze-assisted for the first-half, were almost rocked in the opening minute but Shamrock Gaels midfielder Dillon McDermott pulled a goal shot wide. Lee Deignan pointed the subsequent ‘45’ to get Shamrock Gaels on the scoreboard.

Niall Murphy, scored 0-5 in the opening half, got Coolera-Strandhill’s opening score with a fine point from a Peter Laffey pass.

Dillon McDermott got through for another goal chance and this time he made no mistake, albeit the ball found the net via the underside of the crossbar to give the underdogs a three-point lead, 1-1 to 0-1.

Coolera-Strandhill, however, began to exert control and there was excellent play from Niall Murphy, who was involved in a fantastic duel with his marker and Sligo teammate Evan Lyons.

Barry O’Mahony’s superb two-pointer was a standout score for the holders, who were three points up, 0-7 to 1-1, by the 15th minute.

Shamrock Gaels began to hit their stride and top scorer David Quinn’s converted free - his first score of the overcast day - as well as outstanding scores from the Deignan brothers, Lee and Shane, had Shamrock Gaels within two points of their opponents, 0-10 to 1-5, as stoppage time beckoned.

Coolera-Strandhill plundered a goal just before half-time when a point attempt from Mark McDaniel dropped short and Leo Doherty got the decisive touched for a goal that gave last year’s champions a 1-0 to 1-5 interval lead.

Ross Doherty’s cracker of a goal put Coolera-Strandhill eight points clear, 2-11 to 1-6, just two minutes after the restart.

Despite David Quinn landing a brace of two-pointers for Shamrock Gaels - who now had the breeze - it looked as if this would be Coolera-Strandhill’s day when Sean Murphy found the net for his side’s third goal with 40 minutes on the clock.

Shamrock Gaels were five points down, 3-11 to 1-12, and also finding it impossible to get shots beyond Coolera-Strandhill goalkeeper Keelan Harte, who denied three goalbound shots in the second-half.

The challengers finally beat Harte when David Quinn netted from a penalty - which had to be retaken - in the third minute of stoppage time.

Shamrock Gaels were reduced to 14 players when Patrick Kenny picked up a second booking.

Niall Murphy’s pointed free pushed Coolera-Strandhill two points in front, 3-13 to 2-14, but David Quinn’s monster two-pointer from a free levelled matters, 2-16 to 3-13, and ensured a replay would be required.

Scorers for Coolera-Strandhill: Niall Murphy 0-6 (3f, 1tp), Sean Murphy 1-1, Ross Doherty 1-1, Leo Doherty 1-1, Barry O’Mahony 0-2 (1tp), Keelan Cawley 0-1, Mark McDaniel 0-1 

Scorers for Shamrock Gaels: David Quinn 1-8 (1-0 pen, 2f, 3tpf), Dillon McDermott 1-0, Lee Deignan 0-4 (2 ‘45’), Conor Sheridan 0-2, Shane Deignan 0-1, Ciaran Kenny 0-1 

COOLERA-STRANDHILL: K Harte, J Cassidy, C McDonagh, S Murphy, O Harte, P Laffey, C Gilligan, K Banks, M McDaniel, L Doherty, B O’Mahony, R Doherty, K Cawley, N Murphy, C Burke 

Subs used: R O’Carroll for K Cawley (40); C Murphy for C Burke (54); H Rooney for O Harte (60+7)

SHAMROCK GAELS: D Lyons, O Conlon, E Lyons, S Carroll, K McKenna, C Kenny, P Kenny, C Sheridan, D McDermott, J Quinn, L Deignan, G Barlow, S Deignan, D Quinn, J Foley 

Subs used: L Flynn for J Quinn (45); D King for S Carroll (45); S Hailstones for C Kenny (60+4) 

Referee: R Hynes