Mulryan Construction Roscommon IFC Semi-Final: Fuerty 2-8 St. Dominic’s 2-6
With 58 minutes gone on the clock at Dr Hyde Park on Saturday last, Fuerty were coasting into the county IFC final, leading by 2-8 to 1-5. However, in the final two minutes of normal time and the almost 11 minutes of injury-time added on by referee Marty Parker, St. Dominic’s staged a desperate late rally that almost succeeded. Indeed, Dominic’s had the chances to draw level and maybe even snatch a sensational win as Fuerty hung on grimly.
This was a semi-final that started brightly but the standard dropped as the game went on. It looked like Fuerty would win easily at one stage but Dominic’s displayed a superb never-say-die attitude and it almost paid off. Fuerty scored just two points in the second half as Dominic’s set about reducing the half-time deficit of 8 points and in truth Fuerty were glad to hear the final whistle when it eventually came.
The conditions were windy and there were intermittent showers, which ensured that it was hard for the players to play any flowing football but the game began brightly. It was St. Dominic’s who exploded into the action and after only four minutes they were four points ahead. Darren Donnelly pointed a free in the first minute and three minutes later Donnelly was upended in the large square and Conor Fallon blasted the penalty past Joe Fallon.
Incredibly though, Dominic’s were not to score for the remainder of the half as Fuerty, inspired by Niall Kilroy and Robbie Fallon, took over. In the 8th minute Kilroy lofted over a fine point and a minute later the sides were level when Gearoid Ennis’ shot struck a post and Kilroy was quickest to react and he fired home a well-taken goal.
Further points from Kilroy (2) and Robbie Fallon eased Fuerty into the lead before goal number two arrived in the 25th minute. Once again Niall Kilroy was the creator and Robbie Fallon executed the finish from close range. Further points from the deadly duo, Kilroy and Fallon, saw Fuerty ahead by 2-6 to 1-1 at the break.
In truth the second half was a dour affair. Dominic’s scored three points on the bounce – all from Conor Fallon (2 frees) – within five minutes but it was false dawn for the outsiders. The play was disjointed after that with a lot of mistakes on both sides and it was almost 17 minutes before we had another score, a converted free from Fuerty’s Gearoid Ennis in the 51st minute.
Conor Fallon (free) and Robbie Fallon exchanged points by the 58th minute and it looked like Fuerty had weathered the storm as they led by six points. But suddenly Dominic’s awoke and swarmed forward. Fuerty were under pressure and incredibly had three players black carded (Adam White, Peter Kellehan and Niall Kilroy) in the final quarter.
As the game went into injury-time, Conor Fallon pointed a Dominic’s free then in the 6th minute of time added on Darren Donnelly’s shot struck the Fuerty crossbar and Brendan O’Meara fisted to the net and now Dominic’s were within striking distance.
As the tension rose, Darren Donnelly was wide with a ’45, Conor Fallon was also wide with a long-range free and Brendan O’Meara also had a late chance that came to nought. Soon after it was all over and Fuerty had emerged victorious. But Dominic’s must be kicking themselves this week that they didn’t start their challenge sooner.
Fuerty will be delighted to have survived and reach the final but this standard of performance will not win the Jimmy Murray Cup against Oran or Michael Glavey’s. For them Niall Kilroy and Robbie Fallon were outstanding and Tom Bannon, Peter Kellehan, Philip Neilan and Gearoid Ennis were also prominent.
For a gallant St. Dominic’s, Brendan O’Meara, Darren Donnelly, Conor Fallon, Senan Farrell and Patrick Fallon were best.
Fuerty: Joe Fallon; John Brennan, Tom Bannon, Adam Whyte; Darragh Heavey, Peter Kellehan, Philip Neilan; Eoin Whyte, Eamon Bannon; Aengus Lyons, Niall Kilroy (1-4, 1 free), Gearoid Ennis (0-1); Peter Leahy, Robbie Fallon (1-3), Brendan Mullin. Subs: Niall Keenan for White (42, b/c), Mark Ward for Kellehan (46, b/c), Ben McGahon for Leahy (54), Sean Melia for Kilroy (56, b/c), Oisin Lyons for Heavey (66).
St. Dominic’s: Mark Miley; Anthony Naughton, Michael Byrne, Ciaran Hunt; Brendan O’Meara (1-0), Eoin McCormack, Tom Gately; Michael McGloin, Patrick Fallon; Ronan Morris, Senan Farrell, Ultan Kelly; Conor Fallon (1-5, 1-0 pen 5 frees), Naos Connaughton, Darren Donnelly (0-1). Subs: Thomas Doyle for Kelly (h/t), Colm Murray for Farrell (51), Sean Naughton for Connaughton (65)
Referee: Marty Parker
