Medtronic have qualified for the All Ireland Senior Football final after an emphatic 4-14 to 1-14 victory over AIB from Dublin in the semi-final at the Clann na Gael Fontenoy GAA grounds in Ringsend on Friday.
Medtronic were dominant throughout the hour, and were well on their way when Cathal Newell and Michael Lundy both hit the net in the opening three minutes. When Newell struck again before half-time, Medtronic led by 12 points at the interval.
Both sides produced quality football, but Medtronic were more clinical with all their scores coming from play. AIB, with Daithi and Ian Burke in their ranks, were many people’s favourites for success this season, and they battled well throughout, Gareth Ryan’s penalty miss in the 24th minute summed up their evening.
The Galway outfit had opened in dominant fashion and goaled right from the throw-in when Michael Farragher fed Cathal Newell who made no mistake from close range.
They hit the back of the net again two minutes later when Michael Lundy fired home to put Medtronic seven up with just three minutes gone on the clock.
Ian Burke replied with two points for AIB, but Medtronic went seven clear, thanks to a brace of points from Cian Mimnagh.
Medtronic continued to set the place in the second quarter. The industrious Michael Farragher was at the heart of most of their attacks as they took a nine-point after lead after 23 minutes.
Although AIB were thrown a lifeline in the 24th minute when Gareth Ryan won a penalty, his effort was saved by Keith Murphy. Instead Medtronic went straight upfield and added a third goal - the lethal Cathal Newell grabbing his second to put the Galway side into a 3-09 to 0-6 at half-time.
The intensity of the second half dropped, and although AIB rallied midway through the final quarter, scoring 1-3 without reply, Dylan Wall's goal in the 54th minute put paid to any hopes of a comeback. Medtronic ran out nine point winners to set up a final clash with Ardboe Coldstone from Tyrone.
Scorers: Medtronic, C Newell (2-3 ), C Mimnagh(0-6 ), M Lundy(1-2 ), D Wall(1-0 ), M Farragher(0-2 ), D Canney(0-1 ).
Medtronic: Keith Murphy (Corofin ), Damian McHugh (Mountbellow Moylough ), Karl Dooher (Killala, Mayo ), Patrick Doherty (Clonbur ), Dylan Wall (Corofin ), Aaron McHugh (Mountbellow Moylough ), Adrian Warde (Kilberrin, Clonberne ), Conor Cunningham (Corofin ), David Hogan (Mountbellow Moylough ), Michael Lundy (Corofin ), Michael Farragher (Corofin ), Dylan Canney (Corofin ), David Hehir (Coolmeen, Clare ), Cian Mimnagh (Dromard, Longford ), Cathal Newell (Caltra ) S ub: Shane Donnellan (Mountbellow Moylough ).
