Coolaney/Mullinabreena into their first semi final since 1970
scoresheet for Coolaney/Mullinabreena with a well-struck kick before a good move involving Cummins saw him expertly pass to Ciaran Stenson who pointed from play as the sides had two points each.
Then on 10 minutes what proved to be a critical goal arrived for Coolaney/ Mullinabreena who were increasing their dominance in this half. The hardworking Daniel Davey and Sean Gorman attacked with an excellent pass from captain Criostoir Davey seeking out Davey and his strike from distance found its way into the back of the Calry/St Joseph’s net, Coolaney/Mullinabreena ahead by 1-2 to 0-2. From here, the south Sligo men outscored Calry/St Joseph’s by 6 points to 1, fine scores from Declan McCormack and the hardworking Raymond Connolly being responded to by a Stenson free for Calry/St Joseph’s in the 23rd minute.
Another foul on Connolly was then converted by O’Brien as Criostoir Davey was causing Calry/St Joseph’s a lot of headaches in defence.
Daniel Davey scored a fantastic point from play on 26 minutes before 4 minutes later O’Brien was fouled with Barry Gorman sending over the resulting free with 2 minutes remaining in the first half.
It was all Coolaney/Mullinabreena as they scored 4 unanswered points, the impressive Barry Gorman again on target after his brother Gavin Gorman caught the ball brilliantly and made the pass as they led 1-8 to 0-3 at the break. After the resumption an early Coolaney/ Mullinabreena attack went wide before Cummins converted a Calry/St Joseph’s free. It was Cummins again who brought it back to a 6 point game on 34 minutes after another free. It was 8 minutes into the second half before Coolaney/Mullinabreena scored again, O’Brien on target from a free on Criostoir Davey. Daniel Davey added another brilliant point from play before Calry/St Joseph’s responded with an excellent point from play from Barry O’Boyle as 7 points separated them with 43 minutes played.
Calry/St Joseph’s looked a different outfit in this half as they had more drive in their attack. It was the impressive Barry Gorman who got the last score for Coolaney/Mullinabreena on 45 minutes with a fantastic point from play as once again his side led by 8 but the next six scores were all Calry/St Joseph’s who were intent on showing this tie was by no means over yet.
Griffin added another score with Danny Keown and substitute Keith Raymond involved with 10 minutes to go.
It was Griffin again who set up the next score, using his strength to get around his man and earning a free which was taken short by Cummins to Stenson who passed back to Cummins who pointed as the margin was reduced to 6 points.
It was Calry/St Joseph’s who attacked again, Damien O’Boyle finding Cummins who again pointed from play.
Down the other end a goal mouth scramble eventually saw Calry/St Joseph’s retain possession after Criostoir Davey found Sean Gorman who was threatening for another Coolaney/Mullinabreena goal. Cummins won possession as teammate Conor McGovern was fouled and the former made it a 4 point game as injury time approached.
As injury time ticked over the Coolaney/ Mullinabreena support were nervously checking their watches and when Calry/ St Joseph’s Danny Keown sent over a fantastic point from play the Calry/St Joseph’s crowd were delirious as only a goal separated the sides.
The game was by no means over yet and with 6 minutes of injury time, Calry/ St Joseph’s fought to the end, Cummins pointing from play with a minute to go in what was a tense finish, with Coolaney/ Mullinabreena having done enough to see the win out and look forward to their first semi final in 48 years.
COOLANEY/MULLINABREENA: E McDonagh, S Barrett, A Coleman, K O’Kennedy, N Connolly, D McCormack, A Walsh, S Connolly, B Gorman, S Gorman, S O’Brien, R Connolly, G Gorman, C Davey (C), D Davey.
Subs used: C McCormack for Walsh (inj 20), N Mullen for N Connolly (54),
Scorers: D Davey (1-2), S O’Brien (0-3, 3f), B Gorman (0-3, 1f), A Walsh (0-1), D McCormack (0-1) R Connolly (0-1).
CALRY/ST JOSEPH’S: A Devaney, D Keown, V Nally, A Cummins, B Cox, E Nicholson, J McGoldrick, D O’Boyle, B O’Boyle, C Griffin (C), D Cummins, C Stenson, B McGovern, C McGovern, P Wolfe.
Subs used: K Raymond for Wolfe (47).B Shannon for Nicholson (inj 63). Scorers: D Cummins (0-6, 4f), B O’Boyle (0-2), C Stenson (0-2, 1f), C Griffin (0-1), D Keown (0-1).
REFEREE: B Judge.