St Paul’s 1-16 Tullysaran 1-14
St Paul’s came from seven points down, twice, to book their place in the final of the Intermediate Championship.
Tullysaran got off to a flyer and will look back on this game with huge regrets. Two Eddie Mallon scores got them up and running.
Kevin Corrigan hit a rocket to the net which was followed by points from Gavin Conlon and Corrigan. 1-4 to 0-0 after 12 minutes.
Niall McParland got the Lurgan men up and running while Mallon chipped in with his third point (free).
Dean Fitzsimmons and Andrew Murnin traded scores with Joe Fanthorpe and Conlon before Fitzsimmons claimed a second.
That kickstarted a scoring spree for St Paul’s, that yielded 1-4. McParland narrowed the gap while Sean Toman rattled the net.
A high ball flew towards the square and with the defenders occupied with Murnin, Toman slipped in behind to slide the ball home.
Murnin split the posts, as did Eoin McConville before Ryan Conlon brought the scoring to an end. 1-8 to 1-7 at half time in favour of Tullysaran.
Peadar Nash got St Paul’s back on level terms before Murnin fired his side in front for the first time.
Daniel McDonald and McConville both raised white flags to give Shane McConville’s side a three-point lead.
Tullysaran weren’t done yet. Ryan Conlon and Eddie Mallon scored to make sure they kept in touch.
Mallon and Mark McKeever then swapped scores with the in-form McConville to leave St Paul’s one ahead.
Ciaran O’Riordan pointed a mark to level it up before three in a row from St Paul’s opened up some daylight again.
Substitutes Darren Fox and Charlie Harte scored, while McConville grabbed his fifth of the evening (free).
Matthew Kernan fired over a wonderful score from near the corner flag, but Tullysaran couldn’t grab the goal they searched for.
It’s back to the final for St Paul’s and Shane McConville and they’ll meet Shane O’Neill’s in the championship decider.
St Paul’s Scorers: Eoin McConville 0-5 (1f), Sean Toman 1-0, Andrew Murnin 0-3, Niall McParland 0-2, Dean Fitzsimmons 0-2, Daniel McDonald 0-1, Darren Fox 0-1, Charlie Harte 0-1, Peadar Nash 0-1 (1f)
Tullysaran Scores: Eddie Mallon 0-5 (1f), Kevin Corrigan 1-1, Ryan Conlon 0-2, Gavin Conlon 0-2 (1f), Matthew Kernan 0-1, Joseph Fanthorpe 0-1, Ciaran O’Riordan 0-1, Mark McKeever 0-1.
Shane O’Neill’s 3-13 Culloville 1-12
Shane O’Neill’s joined St Paul’s in the Intermediate Championship showpiece with a seven-point win over Culloville.
Niall Rowland didn’t return to the field for the second half through injury, which was a massive blow to Culloville’s chances.
The eventual winners made the brighter start through Greg McCabe and Ruairi O’Brien while Ryan Garvey and Paul O’Rourke traded scores.
Colm Watters did likewise with Ciaran Mackin before Garvey and James King, thanks to two Colm Watters turnovers, levelled the game.
Culloville shot ahead for the first time in the game when Niall Rowland was fouled in the square. Garvey made no mistake from the spot and drove the Blues three ahead.
O’Rourke and O’Brien narrowed the gap, but King and Dara Quinn restored Culloville’s three-point advantage.
A piece of magic from O’Rourke brought the sides level when he sweetly struck a half-volley to the bottom corner for the final score of the half. 1-6 apiece at the break.
Aodhan Conlon, O’Rourke and Eamon McCabe all swapped scores with Quinn to keep the sides level after the turnaround.
Three points from O’Rourke, split only by a Quinn free, put the Shane’s in front before they stretched their lead.
Brilliant vision and a fantastic pass from young O’Brien saw Conlon palm home his sides second goal.
O’Brien nailed a free while scores from King and Quinn (free) kept the Blues in touch, with four the gap.
But that was soon expanded when O’Rourke put the cherry on the cake. His lobbed attempt bounced off the feet of the falling keepers and rolled into the net to secure their spot in the championship final.
Shane O’Neill’s Scorers: Paul O’Rourke 2-6 (3f), Aodhan Conlon 1-1, Ruairi O’Brien 0-3 (2f), Greg McCabe 0-1, Eamon McCabe 0-1, Ciaran Mackin 0-1.
Culloville Scorers: Dara Quinn 0-6 (3f), Ryan Garvey 1-2 (1pen 1f), James King 0-3, Colm Watters 0-1.
