Ciarán Óg Ó’Fatharta’s Naomh Anna Leitir Móir is through to the Connacht IFC semi-final following an emphatic 2-13 to 0-05 win over Leitrim's St Patrick’s Dromahair in Ballinamore on Saturday.
Conditions were tricky in Ballinamore, but it did not cause any major difficulties for a Leitir Móir side that coasted through the second half with the majority of the donkey work having been done in the first period. The game was all but over as a contest at half-time as Naomh Anna quashed the early Dromahair momentum, which was aided by an extremely strong breeze that was at the backs of the Connemara side for the second half.
St Patrick’s Dromahair led by 3-1 after seven minutes. Gary Fowley, Martin Feeney and James Clancy were all on the scoreboard for the Leitrim champions as Naomh Anna Leitir Móir were slow to find their rhythm at the beginning of the first half with only a Maitias Ó’Bairéad point to show for the opening quarter.
However, they soon found their footing in the game as the Seoiges, Dylan and Warren, dovetailed excellently to assist Aonghus O’Fatharta to hit the back of the net, putting Naomh Anna a point ahead.
James Clancy responded quickly for Dromahair to level the game within a minute of the goal, but that was to be St Patrick’s Dromahair’s last point from play in the contest.
A crucial moment of the first half occurred after 16 minutes when Dromahair’s corner forward Gary Fowley was shown a black card. Naomh Anna Leitir Móirfully capitalised on the man advantage, scoring 1-03 in this period.
Oisín McDonnacha, Warren Seoige and Aonghus Ó’Fatharta all raised white flags before Warren Seoige struck a hammer blow to Dromahair as he palmed to the net after brilliant approach play by centre forward Maitias Ó’Bairéad. When Chris Seoighe pointed again for Naomh Anna Leitir Móir on the stroke of half-time, it was always going to be a massive uphill task for Dromahair given the elements and a well drilled Leitir Móir side. So it proved as Naomh Anna Leitir Móir outscored their opponents by eight points to one in the second half to coast into the semi-finals where they will face Mayo champions Mayo Gaels on Saturday December 11 in Pearse Stadium
There was drama aplenty in Tuam Stadium on Saturday afternoon when Salthill-Knocknacarra prevailed over Dunmore McHales to be crowned county U19 champions. Penalties were required to separate the sides as the scores finished 1-09 to 0-12 after extra time. In what is a cruel way to decide any sporting contest, the Seasiders won 4-3 on spot kicks.
This Sunday, Kilkerrin Clonberne ladies will play Leitrim’s Glencar-Manorhamilton in the Connacht Ladies SFC final which will take place in Tubbercurry at 1pm. It comes after they produced an emphatic 6-22 to 0-04 win over Clann na nGael in the semi-final last weekend.
Athenry will be Galway’s representatives in the Connacht JFC this year despite Moycullen winning the crown. Athenry will face Mayo champions Kilmeena in Bekan this Sunday at 1.30pm.
