Late Gilmartin goal seals Calry victory
CALRY/ ST. JOSEPH’S 3- 09 MICHEAL B. NACH 2- 10 MICHAEL Gilmartin was the hero for Calry/ St. Joseph’s as his goal in extra- time was enough to see Calry/ St Joseph’s crowned Connacht Junior Hurling champions in Ballyhaunis on Saturday afternoon.
In a pulsating encounter, Galway’s Mícheál Breathnach dominated the first- half, leading 2- 05 to 1- 03 at the break.
The Sligo champions showed immense courage to claw their way back into the game to force the meeting into extra- time.
Having been reduced to 13 men following the dismissal of both Michael O’Callaghan and David Collery, Calry/ St. Joseph’s had an almighty mountain to climb to get their way back into the game but they battled hard to prove their worth in the second- half.
There was a mere three points between the two sides before Gilmartin’s goal forced extra- timethat alone an impressive feat for a CAlry side reduced to 13.
His second goal of the game in extra- time sealed a famous victory for the Sligo men.
Calry/ St. Joseph’s will now face Birmingham on December fourth in the All Ireland.
CALRY ST JOSEPHS: C. Madden, T. Kelly, J. Kenny, J. Kerwin, F. Coyne, L. Reidy, N. McDermott, R. Cox, K. Raymond ( 0- 07), K. Gilmartin ( 0- 01), D. Collery, M. O’Callaghan, E. McCarthy, M. Gilmartin ( 2- 00), D. Keown ( 1- 01). Subs: C. Griffin for F Coyne ( 41). Extra- time subs: D Cox and B Shannon.
MICHEAL BREATHNACH: R. Ó Beoláin, M. Ó Béarra, J. Mac Giolla Bhríde, F. Ó Béarra; R. Ó Béarra, A. Ó Finneadha ( 0- 01), C. Mac Giolla Bhríde, A. Ó Tuathail, C. Ó Griallis ( 1- 04), M. Ó Conghaile ( 0- 01), K. Ó Conghaile, O. Ó Ceallaigh, B. Ó Conghaile ( 1- 04), M. Ó Duibhir, P. Mac Giolla Bhríde.
Subs: D. Ó Héallaithe for M Ó Duibhir ( 39).