Cullyhanna 3-17 St Peter’s 0-19
Cullyhanna came from eight-points adrift to overturn St Peter’s and book their spot in the Senior Championship semi-finals. Like their previous three group games, Cullyhanna came from behind to secure the victory.
St Peter’s were so impressive for a lot of the game but Cullyhanna displayed their never-say-die attitude. Two three-pointers in extra time put the game to bed and while St Peter’s battled on, they were running on empty after the teams switched ends.
Cullyhanna produced a stunning start when Jason Duffy flew through the St Peter’s defence and powered the ball to the net. Duffy then turned provider to set up Aidan Nugent for a score and the St Patrick’s men were four up inside three minutes.
St Peter’s responded brilliantly through Conan Moore and Niall McConville before an Aaron Findon two-pointer tied things up. Duffy edged his side in front with a score from close to the endline but Patrick McGibbon levelled the game once more.
Tony Donnelly fired over a fine score from outside the arc but St Peter’s replied with four-points on the bounce. Callum McKerr got his name on the scoresheet while three pointed frees from McConville put the Whites ahead.
Gavan Duffy pulled one back for Cullyhanna, after ignoring the advantage call, to raise a white flag. Cullyhanna also picked up a black card just before the break, with Sean Connell spending ten minutes in the sin bin as they trailed 1-5 to 0-9 at the turnaround.
Second period
McConville rattled over another from the dead ball while McKerr and Moore added to their personal tallies. McConville and Jason Duffy swapped scores while Barry Creaney and Moore (2) split the posts to make eight the difference.
Shea Hoey’s effort on goal was blasted over the bar while Nugent tagged on three on the bounce to keep his side in the contest. Gavan Duffy fired over a massive two-point while Hoey’s second ensured extra time.
Tony Donnelly and Moore (free) traded points before two further Cullyhanna majors, split by another Moore free, put the game to bed. Neil McCreesh finished from close range while McQuillan lobbed the keeper from 45 yards after a turnover.
McKerr and Nugent cancelled each other out after half time, as did Nugent and Ruairi McDonald, before the final whistle sounded. That left Cullyhanna seven-points clear at the end of 100 minutes of exciting championship action.