Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-12
Clonkill 1-13
Ballyboden St Enda’s may have travelled to Cusack Park as hot favourites last Sunday but they left mightily relieved to have survived the brave challenge of Westmeath champions Clonkill.
Despite trailing by seven points at the break the home side upped their performance in the second half and reduced the deficit to the bare minimum before eventually losing out by two points.
Conceding two goals in the space of three minutes before the interval left Pat O’Toole’s men trailing 2-7 to 0-6 at the interval. Brendan Murtagh provided the perfect tonic with a well taken goal after the break as Clonkill staged a determined second-half recovery.
Eoin Price was denied an equalizing goal with two minutes remaining by a terrific Darragh Spain block. Andrew Mitchell and Murtagh added late points to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum before Paul Ryan sealed matters with an injury time free.
Clonkill will be disappointed to have fallen short but can be proud of their performance, particularly in the second half. Ballyboden now face Offaly champions Coolderry in the Leinster semi-final.
