Medtronic regained the Connacht Senior Interfirms title when they defeated reigning champions Mayo Teachers in the Connacht final by 2-8 to 0-11 at the Connacht Centre Of Excellence recently.
Medtronic, due to wayward shooting, trailed for large portions of the match until two second-half goals clinched a fourth title in five years at this grade.
Cian Mimnagh opened the scoring for Medtronic in the opening minute with a smart point from play, but Teachers began to dominate the exchanges, going ahead by two after six minutes.
Colm O’Donovan and Darren McHale exchanged frees as the game continued at fast pace. Cian Mimnagh and O’Donovan frees brought the sides level again.
Metronic keeper Keith Murphy pulled off an important save before Teachers went in ahead at the interval after a late Pat Joe Gaughan score, 0-5 to 0-4.
Medtronic were in trouble early in the second half after Michael Gallagher punched over in the opening minute for Teachers, and scores from Darren McHale and Michael Moyles left the Mayo side four clear by the 38th minute.
Medtronic, however, remained focused, and a minute later a long ball from David Hogan found Colm O’Donovan, who was dragged down, and O’Donovan fired home the penalty.
Although McHale converted a free three minutes later for the Mayo side, Medtronic began putting together some fine passages of play, and were rewarded with two Colm O’Donovan points which put the sides level, after good play by Dylan Canney and Martin Coady.
The final quarter became a titanic battle, Darren McHale and Barry O’Donovan exchanged points before Michael Moyles was on target for the champions. However Medtronic got a break with just two minutes remaining when a Dylan Canney flighted effort deceived Alan Canny in Teachers' goal.
Leading by two with time running out, Medtronic used all their experience to ensure that there was no way back for the Teachers, and wrapped up victory when Canney punched over late in added time.
Medtronic now advance to the All Ireland semi-final against the Muntser champions early in the new year.
Medtronic: K Murphy, D McHugh, K Doohar, A Warde, B O’Donovan (0-1 45’ ), G Cafferty, C Newell, E Mullarkey, D Hogan, O Mannion, D Wall, M Cody, D Canney (1-1 ), C Mimnagh (0-2 1f ) C Donovan (1-4 goal pen, 2f ). Subs: M McNamara, B McLoughlin, E Fleming, G McWalter.
