The intermediate final pairing is now known and it will be contested by near neighbours Dunmore MacHales and Kilconly after the two sides came through their respective semi-finals. Dunmore have been firm favourites for the title from the outset and Gary Delaney has now led them to the final for the second year running after overcoming his native Corofin.
Kilconly meanwhile have somewhat come under the radar, but are extremely battle hardened and there is quality littered all over their team. Kilconly and Oiléain Árann was the first of the semi-finals to be played this weekend in Pearse Stadium early on Saturday afternoon. Had this game been played in the earlier rounds, Oiléain Árann would have been seen as firm favourites pre-game.
However, the manner of Kilconly’s victory over Glenamaddy in the quarter final seemed to sway the odds in their favour before a ball was kicked. As it turned out, there was absolutely nothing to separate the teams for the course of the game which finished 0-10 to 0-09 in favour of Kilconly.
Paul Mannion, who has been one of the best players in the intermediate championship to date, carried the can for Kilconly all day. The former Galway panellist finished up with a tally of 0-05 and kicked the all important winning free in added time.
David Prendergast, wing forward for Kilconly, was also impressive on the day as his pace caused trouble for Oiléain Árann. For the Islanders, it is another disappointing end to an intermediate campaign which promised so much from the outset.
Credit to them must go as they performed so gallantly in the absence of their talisman Seán Mulkerrin all campaign. It is back to the drawing board for them and there is no doubt they will have another tilt at the title again next season.
The other semi-final fixture was played in difficult conditions in Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon between Dunmore MacHales and Corofin. Not many people gave Corofin’s second team a chance against an extremely strong Dunmore side on paper but the manner of Corofin’s victory over St Brendan’s in the quarter final would have had the Dunmore players under no illusions of the task ahead of them.
The Shafts however were the much better side in the first half and were gifted a goal just before half time to put them 1-08 to 0-03 ahead. A red card for Corofin’s Connor Brady early in the second half gave an ominous feeling to the game but Corofin fought back bravely. With Corofin trailing by just two points, Dunmore were awarded a penalty which Shane McGrath duly converted and the result was all but confirmed as the game ended 2-11 to 0-13.
Dunmore will now be hot favourites going into the final but if this season is anything to go by, there will be little between the teams.
There also were intermediate and senior relegation games played over the weekend. In the senior relegation, Caherlistrane defeated Monivea-Abbey by 2-06 to 0-08 while An Spidéal beat St James’ by 0-16 to 0-12.
Those results mean that Monivea-Abbey and St James’ enter a four team relegation group with Oughterard and An Cheathrú Rua. In intermediate relegation, St Gabriel’s overcame Headford by 1-09 to 0-07 while Williamstown defeated Moycullen 0-17 to 2-01.
