Scartaglin edge out hosts Knocknagoshel for semi-final berth
COUNTY NFC QUARTER-FINAL
IN a keenly contested District derby played at Willie Walsh Park Knocknagoshel, Scartaglin edged out Knocknagoshel by the slimmest of margins to qualify for the semi finals of this year’s novice championship.
Niall Barrett opened the scoring in the second minute with a pointed free after a foul on Michael Walsh. In the sixth minute Scartaglin had a great chance of a goal, but Danny Walshe showed reflexes that belied his age when he got down low to save a palmed effort from Pa Rahilly that was destined for the bottom corner.
Sean O’Connell pointed from play for the visitors in the seventh minute and they extended their lead when David Kerins’ goalbound shot was tipped over the bar by Danny Walshe.
Knocknagoshel missed two frees that were to prove costly as Pa Rahilly proved unerring at the other end from placed balls scoring two in succession. Alan Horan raided from his half back position to point for Scartaglin while Michael Walsh replied for the home side.
Niall Barrett was denied by Scartaglin’s goalkeeper who knocked it out for a ‘45, which David O’Donoghue pointed. Daniel Murphy pointed from play after a good move for Scartaglin and followed it up with a free to put Scartaglin four points to the good.
Knocknagoshel’s full-forward Shane O’Connell, who was proving a threat throughout, was fouled in the square resulting in a penalty which David O’Donoghue duly converted leaving the home side trailing by a single point at the break.
In the second half both teams were evenly matched with two early points for Scartaglin putting three between the sides, but substitute John O’Keeffe replied with an excellently taken point from play for Knocknagoshel.
A minor altercation saw Michael Walsh of Knocknagoshel receive a yellow card while Brendan Rahilly of Scartaglin received red. Michael Horan of Scartaglin put his side three in front before Niall Barrett replied with a long distance free.
Michael Walsh pointed from play and David O’Donoghue converted a ‘45 to make it all square with only minutes remaining. A foul on Pa Rahilly resulted in a free for Scartaglin which the same player converted to give his side a narrow win.