T to amount of injury time
that missed chances proved costly.
‘That’s the bottom line - 14 wides. I’m not too sure how many Mayo had, but we squandered really good chances at the start of the second half and ultimately that came back to haunt us.
‘We also missed chances early on. They probably fell to the wrong fella in the right place, but you can’t blame him. He made the runs and he gets there. Ultimately you’ve got to take those chances and there’s one score in it at the end and that cost us.’
McEntee readily admitted that it will be a massive challenge to stay in Division 1.
‘But it was always a real challenge. I said last year our season wouldn’t be defined by the Leinster final. It won’t be defined this year either by survival in Division 1 or not.
‘We’ll come out of Division 1 a better team than when we went into it, I can guarantee you that much.’
McEntee confirmed that Ben
Brennan picked up a serious injury in training that will keep him sidelined for a spell. However, he is hopeful of having a couple of his ‘walking wounded’ available for the trip to Kerry.
Full forward Sean Clare struck for two goals early on for Syddan, but thanks to an own goal from Andrew Garland Kilmainham got back to level, 1-3 to 2-0.
Syddan had the better of the exchanges heading towards half-time, and boosted by a Cormac Rowe goal they enjoyed a 3-2 to 1-3 lead at the break.
Three successive points from Kilmainham at the start of the second half had the deficit back to two, but that was the closest they got.
With Daire Rowe in fine form Syddan were six points clear heading into the final quarter. Rowe put the issue beyond doubt with his side’s fourth goal on 53 minutes and Ronan Mooney and Kevin Garland added points before the finish.
Castletown earned their spot in the last four as they continued their unbeaten run in Moylagh, winning 0-12 to 1-1. Tommy Smith hit five points for the winners, with Francis Hoey getting three.
The other side of the draw, which has three groups, is less clear. St Michael’s advanced following their 1-8 to 1-4 victory over Trim, their third successive win, and also through are Walterstown who came out on top of the three-team group following their 2-11 to 2-5 success over Clann na nGael.
Blackhall Gaels presently top Group D but can be overtaken by holders Ballinabrackey if they overcome Ballinlough in their rescheduled match this Tuesday evening.