Clyda Rovers advance to Minor final with injury-time winner

Anthony Crowley sent a fine shot from close range that Sean O’Shea saved but Cathal WalshO’Grady was on hand to goal from the rebound.

William Cronin and Ben O’Connor had points for the winners while Cathal Harrington pointed a free for the ‘Hill. In the seventh minute Ian Butler pointed a long range free for Kildorrery. A minute later Kildorrery had their second goal when Cathal WalshO’Grady worked well for Paddy Hartnett who netted 2-2 to 0-3. Ben O’Connor goaled for Clyda and they forced level with points by William Cronin and Colin Kelly 1-5 to 2-2. P J Keating pointed for Kildorrery after a good solo run. William Cronin at the other end also soloed through from midfield and levelled at 2-3 to 16. By the 23rd minute they were deadlocked at 2-4 to 1-7.

In the 25th minute a long range free by William Cronin found its way to the net. Kildorrery recovered well from this setback and points by Cathal Walsh-O’Grady and Paddy Pigott left just a point between them at the break 2-7 to 2- 6.

On the resumption impressive Dylan Kent levelled with a long range pointed free. Kildorrery hit a good patch, two pointed frees by Cathal Harrington opened up a lead 2-9 to 2-7. Clyda responded well, good play by Darragh Buckley and William Cronin produced a fine point by Adam Walsh. Dylan Kent with another free restored the two point lead for the ‘Hill.

Good play by Colin Kelly led to an Adam Walsh point with Kelly levelling at 2-10 each in the 37th minute. Kildorrery had their third goal in the 40th minute. It came when Dyaln Kent won a hight catch from a puckout and placed Cathal Harrington who netted. They went four clear in the 41st minute when Anthony Crowley worked well for Harrington who struck a great point. Dylan Kent gave his side a five point lead in the 45th minute from a free 3-12 to 2-10.

Clyda made a number of substitutions that made a huge difference. William Cronin pointed a free with 10 minutes to go. John Hunter saved well from Colin Kelly. Ian Butler broke up a good Clyda attack. William Cronin (free) and P J Keating swopped a point by the 5lst minute. The Hill failed to score again. Clyda had a point by Sean O’Callaghan in the 56th minute.

Kildorrery were still a goal clear. Their key centre back Ian Butler struggled with a leg injury. In the dying moments Clyda forced level when Martin O’Connor put Colin Kelly through for an equalising goal. The momentum was now with the Rovers who piled on the pressure. In the 63rd minute Kildorrery conceded a free that William Cronin pointed and the final whistle followed the puck out.