John Keane & Sons IFC semi-finals
Elphin 1-7 Éire Óg 0-7
Elphin have made it through to the IFC final, but it was not before they were given a stern test by last year’s finalists in Frenchpark on Sunday last.
In such a low-scoring match a goal was always going to be a big score and so it proved as Evan Gunn’s strike in the 17th minute of the first half proved decisive.
Conor Cox was always going to be a crucial presence for Éire Óg, however while the county star was excellent from the placed ball he was well held by the Elphin defence and didn’t score from play. Managing to curtail his impact was a major contributory factor in Elphin’s win.
That Elphin goal after a fine team move helped them into a 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead. With Niall Higgins outstanding and Fintan Cregg, Nessan Lenihan and Luke Mollohan very prominent, Nigel Dineen’s men held on for a hard-fought win.
For Pat Doory’s men, Denis Barron, Conor Cox, Aonghus McDonagh and Christy Scally were most prominent.
Elphin: Aaron Brady; Alex Gleeson, Niall Higgins, Enda Killoran; Shane Beirne, Martin McCaffrey, Gavin Murray; Nessan Lenehan, Luke Mollahan (0-1); Damien Cregg, Shane Killoran, Gerry Cregg; Evan Gunn (1-1), Fintan Cregg (0-5, 4 frees), Frankie Cregg. Subs: Conor Lenihan for G Murray (h/t), John Finnerty for D Cregg (41), Rossa Brennan-Kelly for G Cregg (52), Sam O’Rourke for Frankie Cregg (62).
Éire Óg: Colm Lavin; Niall Flanagan, Denis Barron, Aonghus McDonagh; James McGreal, Jarlath Lavin, Eoghan Walsh; Christy Scally, Brian Greene; Enda Crawley (0-1), Joseph Hester (0-1), Ronan Cahill; Liam Creaton, Conor Cox (0-5, 3 frees), Jason Doory. Subs: Declan Flanagan for Cahill (39), Mark Finan for Creaton (48), Ross Nolan for Crawley (58).
Strokestown 2-17 Fuerty 1-9
The final margin of victory flatters Strokestown as with 15 minutes to go there was only one point between the teams in Kiltoom.
However, a return of 1-7 without reply in the final quarter saw the 2022 senior champions into the intermediate decider against neighbours Elphin later this month.
Strokestown led by 1-7 to 1-4 at half-time. Fuerty scored their goal from a penalty awarded in the 17th minute. Eamon Bannon was fouled and Gearoid Ennis converted the spot-kick.
Strokestown hit back just before half-time with a fine team move that was finished to the net by Fionn Cusack.
Fuerty had a purple patch in the third quarter when they scored four points without reply to cut the deficit to a point.
Strokestown finished very strongly and with Diarmuid McGann and Shane McGinley outstanding, they began to pull away. McGinley’s converted penalty sealed the win in injury-time.
Strokestown: Niall Curley; David Neary, Dylan Owens, Timmy Gibbons; Ciaran Regan (0-2), Keith Murphy, Dillon Casey; Fionn Cusack (1-0), Jack Beirne; Adam Tighe, Colm Compton (0-2), Luke Kelly; Colm Neary, Diarmuid McGann (0-7, 3 frees), Shane McGinley (1-3, 1-0 pen, 1 ’45). Subs: Kevin Finn (0-2, frees) for Kelly (35), Evan Moran for Beirne (40), Cathal Lavin (0-1) for Tighe (56).
Fuerty: Tom Bannon; Darragh Heavey, Philip Neilan, Tadhg Lyons; Eoin Ward, Ben McGahon, Mark Ward (0-1, free); Niall Keenan, Naoise Coyle; Cian Murray (0-2), Oisin Lyons (0-2), Eamon Bannon; Cathal Lavin, Gearoid Ennis (1-4, 1-0 pen, 2 frees, 1 ’45), Jack McGahon. Subs: Peter Kellehan for Heavey (h/t), Darragh Mullen for Keenan (h/t), Shane McAndrew for J McGahon (41), Cathal Crehan for E Bannon (61), Mossy Tiernan for O Lyons (63).
Referee: Aaron Clogher.
