Second half surge sees Firies through

PREMIER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Firies 3-16 Keel 2-13

A STRONG scoring burst of eight unanswered points in the second period was key to Firies reaching their second Premier Junior Championship semi-final in three years as they overcame Keel on home turf by a total of nine points in the end.

The first half was a very tight affair. Keel got off to a great start with a goal by Jason Foley followed by a brace from Gary Sayers, had them leading by 1-2 to 0-1.

A fine move by Firies however which resulted with Jack Sherwood finishing to the net had the locals back in it and they took the lead with a goal by Ed Kerrisk followed by a pointed free from Colm O’Shea.

The visitors hit back with two Gary Sayers points and a further point by Eoin O’Neill had Keel in front coming up to the break. Firies through Mike Daly levelled the game and in injury time a point each from placed balls had the score level at 2-5 to 1-8.

After the restart Keel hit four points through Gary Sayers and Emmet Ashe as the second-half would ebb and flow both ways. Firies’ only reply to the second-half start by the visitors was a Colm O’Shea free.

A second goal by Jack Sherwood after a flowing move would follow for the hosts, however, Keel hit back straight away with a second Jason Foley goal as the game looked like it could go either way.

In the final quarter Firies seized control of this game however and hit eight unanswered points, seven from play to leave them with a good cushion.

Keel to their credit never gave up the chase but could not get the goal they needed to get back in the game as Firies became the second Division 4 side to make the last four alongside Skellig Rangers.