Middletown 0-13 Setanta 1-11
Armagh champions Middletown crashed out of the Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship at the hands of Setanta.
A second half goal from the Donegal side sent them through to the decider, with one-point to spare.
Middletown led for the majority of the game, but Josh Connolly McGee’s turned the game in Setanta’s direction.
Middletown, who lost last years Ulster final to Liatroim, had a goal chance themselves late on, but their penalty effort was denied.
Scores from Ben Toal (2), Ryan Gaffney (free) and Martin Moan got Middletown off to flying start.
Setanta shot back with two points, split by a Rory Grimes score, who was a late replacement for Nathan Curry.
Two frees from Gerard Gilmore and a point from former Armagh hurler Declan Coulter tied things up.
Sean Og McGuinness traded scores with Oisin Marley before Toal and Grimes opened up a two-point gap.
Gilmore and Gaffney cancelled each other out with dead ball efforts while Ruairi Campbell also exchanged points with Gaffney.
That was the final score of the opening period as Middletown headed into the break with a two-point lead. 0-10 to 0-8.
The margin doubled straight after the turnover as Gaffney fired over two more points from the dead ball.
Gilmore slotted over two frees before a goal from Josh Connolly McGee put Setanta ahead for the first time.
Middletown got back on level terms after a ten-minute drought as Moan chipped in with his second of the afternoon.
Gilmore slotted over the final score of the game from a free to edge Setanta ahead by the minimum of margins.
The Donegal men held on to claim their spot in the decider, where they’ll now face Tyrone champs Carrickmore.
