Last-gasp Smith goal breaks Bride’s hearts

GAELIC FOOTBALL RELEGATION/PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS Roche Emmets bounce back in fine style

before slotting the ball past Darren Breen for the game’s opening goal.

Just before half-time the Brides were back in front when Kevin Hearty showed great skill before finding the back of the net to send his side in 1-5 to 1-3 ahead at the break.

The Clans dominated the opening ten minutes of the second half, scoring five unanswered points to open up a three-point advantage, but that lead was reduced to two when Emmet Kirk split the posts to register the Brides first score of the second half.

The final quarter will live long in the memory for both sets of supporters as the game opened up and chances came and went for both sides. Substitute Paddy Reilly put his team back in front with a goal in the 55th minute to level the game, only for a couple of Robbie Curran frees to put the Clans back in the driving seat with time now running out for the Brides.

Amazingly, substitute Patrick Reilly looked to have won it for his side in the 61st minute when his long ball in evaded everybody before nestling in the back of the net, putting the Brides a point ahead.

However, there was still time for another piece of play and from the next attack St Bride’s conceded a free kick which was sent in long by Robbie Curran. Up soared JJ Quigley who turned and shot against the post. A scramble ensued and Billy Smith somehow found the back of the net, giving the visitors a win by two points with the very last kick of the ball.

It was cruel on the Brides, but the Clans got their rewards for battling until the very end and a meeting with the Joes now awaits. CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; Michael McDonnell, Paul Crewe 0-1, Kevin Carroll; Robbie Curran 0-2, Leo Martin 0-1, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Ola Olajabu, Conor Noonan 0-2; Stephen Coleman, JJ Quigley 0-2, Mark Newell 0-1; Billy Smith 1-4, Ray McCabe 1-0, Paul Gore. Sub: Ryan Hoey for Kevin Carroll.

ST BRIDE’S: Darren Breen; Ronan Bailey, Mark Hoey, Niall Mackin; Paraic Marry, Cillian Kirk, David Kettle; Shane Devin, Alan Dunne; Ross Kehoe 0-1, Emmet Kirk 0-1, Sean Marry; Aaron Hoey 0-3, Kevin Hearty 1-1, Conaill Devin 0-1. Subs: Patrick Reilly 2-1 for Sean Marry, Andrew Smyth for Ronan Bailey, Donal McNally for Paraic Marry.