Reigning champions Garrycastle remain on track to complete their hat trick of titles as they withstood the spirited challenge of Tyrrellspass in an entertaining contest last weekend. The final scoreline of 2-17 to 2-08 is a little harsh on a game Tyrrellspass side who trailed by just three points with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Ultimately though Anthony Cunningham must have been pleased by the manner in which his troops pulled away in the end to book their place in the decider which is scheduled for October 2.
Paddy Mulvihill continued his rich vein of form for the reigning champs bagging 2-3 of his side’s total, one of the goals coming from the penalty spot. Dessie Dolan weighed in with 0-6 and Conor Cosgrave contributed 0-4 in a potent attack which made little of the difficult conditions.
Ger O’Toole and Dean McNicholas were the goal-scorers for the men from the Tidy Village who, despite their exit at the semi-final stage, can be happy with their year’s work.
In the second semi-final, which failed to live up to expectation, Mullingar Shamrocks made the most of their second-half wind advantage to run out deserving winners on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-07.
The Saints undoubtedly missed the talented John Heslin from the mid-field sector where Donie Donoghoe was allowed to dictate much of the play. Ray Smyth will be happy to have his side back in the final without any degree of expectation, certainly from outside the camp. He has three weeks to prime his side who will undoubtedly have to show considerable improvement if they are to spoil Garrycastle’s three-in-a-row bid.
Meanwhile in the intermediate championship Coralstown/Kinnegad saw off the challenge of Tang to book their place in this year’s final. Castletown/F/C/W put an end to any hopes St Mary’s Rochfortbridge had of gaining promotion as the enjoyed a comfortable 1-11 to 0-7 win.
Kinnegad were installed as favourites to win the intermediate title this year even before a ball had been kicked and while that remains the case they can expect to be well tested by the men from the north of the county.
