Extra-time win for Ballygiblin over Doneraile
Doneraile hit the front again when Garry Sweeney pointed a ‘65’ and it gave them a 0-7 to 1-3 lead at the break.
On the changeover Ballygiblin shaded matters early on. Points by Joseph O’Sullivan and Shane Beston moved them in front. During the third quarter the winners were denied two certain goal scoring chances when the Doneraile keeper Conor Curran made two marvellous saves from Dave Moher and Shane Beston. Nevertheless, Ballygiblin still found scores easier to come by in this period with Fionn Herlihy, Joseph O’Sullivan, Michael Walsh, Shane Beston and George Pendle impressing and at the mid way stage they moved into a 1-10 to 0-9 lead.
However, in a gripping last quarter Doneraile staged a great fightback. They outscored their opponents by 1-3 to 0-1 over a ten minute spell the goal by Garry Sweeney while the hardworking Ian O’Brien (2) and Lee O’Shea had points as they moved in front 1-12 to 1-11 as the finish whistle quickly approached. In injury time Ballygiblin held their nerve with Joseph O’Sullivan pointing a long range free to force extra time.
In the first period of extra time Ballygiblin had a dream start with George Pendle setting up Dave Moher for a goal and a lead they would not surrender despite the best efforts by a resolute Doneraile side. At the break they held a four point lead 2-15 to 1-14.
On the restart Garry Sweeney and Joseph O’Sullivan traded an early point before Doneraile cut the margin to a point when Sean Stack had their goal. Doneraile went all out to secure the equalising score but it was not to be with Joseph O’Sullivan completing the scoring for Ballygiblin with a free.