Abbvie into Connacht final
ABBVIE SLIGO VALEO GALWAY 4-10 1-11
narrowed the gap to four when he converted a place ball just before half time. Half time score: AbbVie 1-07, Valeo 0-6. After an early Michael Mannion point, it was AbbVie who stated the second half on top. An excellent Darragh Gallagher point was quickly followed by an Eoin McCormack effort. Valeo’s defence were in trouble all evening with AbbVie’s slick attack. More good work this time involving Alan O’Dowd and Enda Gallagher set up Eoin McCormack who fired home AbbVie’s second goal from close range. Two quick points from Evan Flynn reduced the arrears to six towards the end of the third quarter. McCormack from a placed ball and Michael Mannion exchanged points early in the final quarter. When Martin Newell fired home for Valeo with 12 minutes remaining, suddenly there was only three in it, game on. Valeo had been on top for the last ten minutes and questions were asked of AbbVie’s resolve. The match ebbed and flowed with both sides squandering chances. AbbVie who had been in control throughout were not going to be caught. With six minutes remaining came the insurance score. Eoin McCormack who was a constant thorn in the Valeo side slipped the defence once more. Bearing down on goal he evaded a last ditch challenge to coolly slot home. Credit to Valeo, they were not finished yet. Martin Newell floated a free into the AbbVie goalmouth. A push inside lead to a penalty. With a chance to put the match back into the melting pot, Michael Mannion seen hit spot kick come crashing off the crossbar. That was last chance saloon for Valeo, although Justin Ryan pointed, Darragh Gallagher wrapped up an impressive victory for AbbVie with his side’s fourth goal with time running out. AbbVie now go on to contest the Connacht final where they will play the winners of the Hollister from Mayo and Vistamid from Leitrim. After this impressive display, AbbVie will go into the decider full of confidence.AbbVie: P. Clarke, K. Gilligan, M. Wynne, J. Cassidy, R. McManus, N. Ewing, J. Davey, TJ Byrne(0-1), D. McDermott, M. Murphy(0-1), D. Gallagher(1-2), D. Kelly(1-2 1f), D. Lang(0-2), A. O’Dowd, E. McCormack(2-2 1f).Subs: E. Gallagher, D. Barrett, C. McLoughlin, C. O’Dowd.