St Farnan’s edge all-west duel as Easkey misfire
Absorbing battle of west Sligo neighbours goes to extra-time as substitute Iarlaith Connor’s goal proves crucial for St Farnan’s in one-point victory
Intermediate C’ship Semi-Final St Farnan’s
Easkey 1-15 1-14 performers. Stephen Mulligan was especially busy in the first-half, scoring two points, and the St Farnan’s defensive work was also admirable, with Matthew Lang, Eamonn Kilgannon and David Hallinan consistent.
As much as St Farnan’s got their tactics right – they shut down Easkey’s dangermen, built attacks from the back, secure the majority of midfield breaks from kickouts and regularly got good ball into Patrick O’Connor – in a game that eventually became tit for tat, Easkey will themselves rue not having seized the day just when they appeared capable of bursting into life. Having struggled to deal with the breeze-assisted St Farnan’s for much of the opening period and with just Mikey Gordon’s pointed free to show for the first quarter, Easkey kept St Farnan’s scoreless for 14 minutes while bringing their tally up to 0-5. Feeling better that they were only two points down at half-time, 0-7 to 0-5, Easkey were also relieved that Patrick O’Connor’s 23rd minute point attempt came off the upright after he easily evaded two challenges, while Andrew Kilcullen’s emergency interception was required to stop Stephen Mulligan from getting through for a goal shot.
The first glimpse of Easkey’s prowess saw them move level,
1-6 to 0-9, by the 36th minute. Daniel Rolston goaled with a tidy finish from close-range, a move that involved the McHugh brothers, Joe and Rory, Bernard Feeney and Kevin Duffy, who bravely
BANDAGE OF BATTLE: Finnian Cawley, in action for St Farnan’s against Easkey last Saturday.