Callan’s goal earns win for St Kevin’s in dramatic encounter
ST KEVINS 3-14 NA PIARSAIGH 2-14
ST Kevins twice came back from the dead to book their place in the Kevin Mullen Shield Final with a dramatic victory over Na Piarsaigh at Philipstown on Saturday evening.
Na Piarsaigh looked set for a place in the decider when they led by three points with seconds remaining but a Seanie Crosbie goal sent the game to extra time.
Once again the Dundalk men appeared to be in control when they edged into a two point lead, but they were hit with another sucker punch when a Cian Callan three-pointer saw his side claim a dramatic win.
There was little sign of the drama that was to come in a low-scoring first half that ended with the sides level at two points apiece.
The game burst into life after the break as both teams gave their all in search of victory. The visitors found the net through Conall Shields and Alan McCartney and that appeared to be enough to send them into the final despite Seanie Crosbie getting a goal at the other end for the Kevins.
However, there was still time for late drama as Crosbie pounced late for his second goal to level the game at 2-9 each after 60 minutes.
The entertainment levels continued in extra-time but again Na Piarsaigh were on course for victory when they led by 2-14 to 2-12 in the dying moments. This time it was Cian Callan who rescued the Kevins as he struck 1-2 to see his side into the final. ST KEVINS: Eoin McKenna; Barry Byrne, Conor McCullough, Emmet Callan; Aaron Roche, Enda McKenna 0-1, Patrick Duff; Liam Boylan, Seanie Crosbie 2-1; Aaron Khan, Lee Crosbie, James Clarke; Karl Martin, Cian Callan 1-8, Patrick Clarke 0-3. Subs: Aidan Craven 0-1 for K Martin, Dylan Maher for C McCullough, Paul Duff for J Clarke, Matthew Downes for E Callan, James Kierans for A Roche.
NA PIARSAIGH: Peter Gallagher; Fergal Mulholland, Conall Shields 1-0, Shane Roddy; Ciaran Murphy 0-1, Joe Woods, Stevie McGuinness 0-1; Ronan McCartney, Michael Woods; Mark Larkin 0-7, Mark O’Hare, Niall Franklin; Eamonn McAuley 0-2, Alan McCartney 1-3, Tommy Muckian. Subs: Damien McCrink, Jarlath Lyons, Stephen Arrowsmith, Gavin McGee, Robbie Murphy.