Oylegate-glenbrien in miraculous recovery
A MIRACULOUS second-half comeback from Oylegate-Glenbrien saw them turn around a nine-point deficit to overcome a game Kiltale side in this AIB Leinster Intermediate hurling championship semi-final in Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Sunday last.
The Meath Senior champions completely dominated proceedings in the first-half, grabbing two goals and finding the posts with ease to see them go in at the break with a comfortable lead.
But Oylegate-Glenbrien's gallant second-half efforts led by Jamie Reck and Podge and Fergal Doran saw this game go down to the wire, and the Wexford Intermediate champions fought their way through to the Leinster final.
Kiltale hit the ground running in the early exchanges and looked very impressive, grabbing 1-3 before Oylegate-Glenbrien managed to raise a flag through Fergal Doran after ten minutes.
Kiltale sharpshooter Jack Regan exchanged scores with Fergal Doran midway through the half, but Regan pounced minutes later for a goal which was followed by a Mark O'Sullivan point, putting the locals ahead by eleven points after 21 minutes.
Fergal Doran was keeping Oylegate-Glenbrien in it at this stage and added three unanswered scores before Regan had the final say of the half, leaving nine between the sides.
As Kiltale dominated the first-half, OylegateGlenbrien did likewise in the second and immediately got on the scoreboard through Jamie Reck and Fergal Doran.
The turning point came in the following minutes when Jamie Reck did extremely well to find the net under pressure, and three minutes later Podge Doran stepped over a 21-yard free but his effort came back out to Reck who blasted home to put Oylegate-Glenbrien right back into it.
Regan replied for Kiltale with two points which were immediately cancelled out by Podge and Fergal Doran.
Kiltale were not going to let things slip easily however and Regan added two more points to put his side ahead by three with four minutes remaining.
Oylegate-Glenbrien threw everything at Kiltale at this stage and were rewarded when the ball found its way to their goal machine Podge Doran who did brilliantly to gain possession and fire home to level matters.
Doran added a point immediately, putting Oylegate-Glenbrien ahead for the first time in the game which was added to by namesake Fergal.
Regan was still proving a handful and gave Oylegate-Glenbrien a scare when he pointed in injury time, but the blues had the last say when player-manager M.J. Reck gave them an insurance score with the last puck of the game.
Oylegate-Glenbrien now have a Leinster final to look forward to on December 2 and must await the winners of the Dublin and Kilkenny champions who contest the other semi-final.