All about the goals amid championship dramas

THE old saying that ‘goals win matches’ was very much in evidence over the weekend as three-pointers determined the outcome of the weekend’s entire championship programme.

Derek Crilly’s 40th-minute fisted goal was the crucial score in the Gaels/Blues rescheduled quarterfinal in Darver on Thursday night as the Dundalk men came from four points down at the break to book their semi-final place on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-11.

Colm Judge’s late shot into the side netting almost snatched it at the death for the Blues who strangely had Andy McDonnell as an unused substitute.

Two early first-half goals registered in less than a minute went a long way to putting St Mary’s through to the last four of the competition as they overcame the strong challenge of Naomh Mairtin.

As so often happens in a replay, the team who leaves it behind them the first day invariably comes up short the next time.

In a season where the senior championship is so wide open, there are many in Monasterboice who will have nightmares about letting that eight-point lead slip in the original fixture.

The Intermediate final will feature Mattock Rangers and St Joseph’s after both sides hit three goals in their wins over St Mochta’s and Hunterstown respectively.

Mattock were not at their best in Darver on Friday evening and will count themselves fortunate to advance to the decider following their narrow one-point victory. The Collon men’s three quick-fire goals in the opening 10 minutes was the difference and St Mochta’s will feel aggrieved that they didn’t at least force a replay.

St Joseph’s had nine points to spare over Hunterstown in the second of the semi-finals, but again it was the three goals which decided matters. For as far back as I can remember, Dromiskin teams have always had a knack of hitting the net and could be dark horses for the final if they can tighten things up at the back.

Although I always like Castlebellingham as a venue, parking can sometimes be an issue, so I was only making my way into the ground when I heard the roar go up which greeted St Kevin’s opening goal in Sunday’s Junior decider at The Grove.

The impressive Cian Callan then followed up his first-minute strike with another major on 14 minutes as underdogs St Kevin’s took full advantage of the strong breeze. Entering the closing stages of the first half they enjoyed a six-point lead before a couple of Conor Grimes points narrowed the deficit.

With the elements at their backs, Glen Emmets upped their game in the second period and drew to within three points on 35 minutes. Tullyallen then completely dominated possession for the next quarter of an hour, but they had just one further point to show for their efforts. A combination of poor decision-making by the Emmets attack and some lastditch St Kevin’s defending meant the Philipstown outfit entered the final 10 minutes with their noses still in front.

In a hugely entertaining finale, Tullyallen eventually found their €20 on Cillian O’Connor to score the first goal in the All-Ireland Final at 8/1 shooting boots and drew level with five minutes remaining. What followed for the next seven or eight minutes was as exciting a finish I’ve seen to a game all season. Both teams spurned gilt-edged opportunities to win it as tired bodies continuously coughed up possession and attempted shots drifted wide.

Then, just as a draw appeared inevitable, up stepped Cian Callan again. Picking the ball up on the right wing, this year’s county minor somehow evaded tackles to solo-run along the endline and find substitute Paddy Clarke to land the winning score.

There was some evidence of indecision among the officials as to whether it was a point or not and I’m not 100% convinced that Hawk-Eye would have registered a ‘Tá’ verdict. However, after what appeared like an eternity, the umpire with the worst angle signalled to the other to raise the white flag.

Strangely, the referee did not intervene or consult with his official as to the validity of the score. At such a crucial juncture of the game, I trust they got the decision correct.

There was no time for Tullyallen to recover and the final whistle sounded soon afterwards.

St Kevin’s have undertaken tremendous work at underage level in the parish over the last number of years and they’re now reaping the benefits.

Haggardstown has been named as venue for Saturday’s Senior semi-final double header where Gaels and Sean O’Mahonys meet at 6pm, followed by the clash of St Mary’s and Dreadnots.

What is most striking about this year’s campaign is the fact that none of the Big 3 - St Patrick’s, Mattock Rangers or Newtown Blues, who’ve won 15 of the last 16 titles between them - feature in the final four.

The bookies are suggesting an O Mahony’s/Dreadnots final, but I’ve a sneaking feeling both matches could go the opposite way. However, no matter what the outcome, there will be a fresh face lifting this year’s Joe Ward trophy.

Neither Dreadnots nor O’Mahony’s have ever previously won the county’s blue ribbon event, but both have been knocking on the door in recent seasons, Dreadnots losing to St Patrick’s in 2012 and 2014 and O’Mahonys losing to the same opposition in 2015.

St Mary’s are the most recent winners of the competition, beating St Patrick’s in 1995. Their last final appearance was in 2003 when St Patrick’s turned the tables on them after a replay. Gaels have to go the whole way back to 1952 for their last senior success and their most recent final appearance was all of 24 years ago when they lost out to a Clans team featuring yours truly, again after a replay.

A word for Glyde Rangers who last weekend slipped down to the Junior ranks with their defeat to Na Piarsaigh in the relegation play-off.

As recently as 2012 Tallanstown were competing in the Senior championship and Division 1 of the league but they now find themselves facing into Junior league and championship in 2017.

It seems like no length of time since they were within a kick of the ball of a Senior final when they lost narrowly to Mattock in a semi-final in Ardee. It just shows you how quickly fortunes can change. Last week’s tip Red Verdon was a non-runner in the St Leger at Doncaster. This week we go for Mayo’s Cilian O’Connor to score the first goal in Sunday’s All-Ireland Final against Dublin.