Dunmore MacHales brilliant run in the intermediate championship came to an end at the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship semi-final stage.
Having won their first provincial title and given their supporters and amazing journey in 2022, they just fell short against Tyrone’s Galbally Pearses in Mullingar on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-04 to 1-09. The old adage that goals win games was very much the theme as the concession of four goals blocked their path to a day in Croker in a fortnight’s time.
Dunmore opted to play with a strong breeze at their back, and it was a bright opening as Padraig Costello slotted over his first free of the day in the second minute.
Galbally’s immediate response was to go down the other end and score their first goal of the day. When centre forward Ronan Nugent smartly finished the ball from the deck past Connor Gleeson, it was an omen for things to follow.
Gary Delaney’s side showed their firepower over the next series of plays as Damien Reddington hit the net for the Shafts in the sixth minute after brilliant team interplay. Shane McGrath and Dylan Brady added an additional two points in quick succession to put Dunmore in a strong position, leading by three after eight minutes.
However, the lead was short-lived as Ronan Nugent grabbed his second goal of the day in the 16th minute for Galbally. It was an intricately worked one-two with midfielder Cormac Donnelly before blasting to the net for the second time.
Costello put Dunmore’s noses back in front with a free soon after, but it was only moments before Nugent bagged his hat-trick. Donnelly was the creator once again as Nugent found himself closing in on goal before finishing with his weaker side to put his team two points to the good.
Galbally corner back Liam Rafferty extended that lead soon after his side’s third goal, only for Dunmore’s Padraig Costello to peg them back to two points before the break with yet another converted free.
The scoreline at half-time was 3-01 to 1-05 in Galbally’s favour, but with a stiff breeze at their backs to come for the second half, there was no doubt Dunmore MacHales were up against it.
Yet, they came out with real fight. Padraig Costello cut the deficit to one point with a placed ball three minutes into the second half. This was followed by a 13-minute scoreless spell for both teams, which was eventually broken by Galbally’s corner forward Daniel Kerr.
The Tyrone outfit had umpteen wides since their last score in the 24th minute. On 50 minutes Thomas Gleeson once again reduced the margin to the minimum by raising a white flag, and two frees in quick succession by Padraig Costello gave Dunmore a one-point advantage with three minutes of normal time remaining.
However, from that kick-out Galbally buried their opposition. Cormac Donnelly fetched an exceptional mark before launching a long ball inside to Daniel Kerr. Once Kerr had the ball in his hands, he made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net. Two more points from the boot of Ronan Nugent and Conor Donaghy put the icing on the cake for Galbally as they head for an All-Ireland final.
There was also a semi-final heartbreak for Naomh Feichín of Clifden in Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon. They were defeated by Tyrone side Stewartstown Harps 1-14 to 1-09 after extra time. Clifden’s lack of scoring power cost them in the end as they only had two players score on the day. John O’Brien bagged his team’s goal, while Ger Gibbons slotted nine points, eight from frees. Despite a disappointing end to the season, Clifden are well primed to have a competitive year at the intermediate grade for 2023.
Scorers for Galbally Pearses: R Nugent 3-1, D Kerr 1-1, L Rafferty 0-1, C Donaghy 0-1f; Scorers for Dunmore MacHales: P Costello 0-6f, D Redington 1-0, S McGrath 0-1, D Brady 0-1, T Gleeson 0-1.
Galbally Pearses: R McGeary; L Rafferty, C Quinn, Connor Donnelly; M Lennon, C Morris, J Hetherington; E McGarrity, Cormac Donnelly; S Wylie, R Nugent, B Carberry; S Murphy, C Donaghy, D Kerr. Subs: A Carberry for B Carbery (49 ), F McGarrity for Lennon (58 ), M Donnelly for Kerr (60+2 ), P McCaughey for Murphy (60+4 ).
Dunmore MacHales: C Gleeson; C Lyons, D Rattigan, L Murray; D Forde, C Mitchell, S Murray; M Redington, S McGrath; T Gleeson, J Coen, D Brady; D Redington, P Costello, J Slattery. Subs: B Carr for Coen (42 ), M Cleary for Slattery (60+2 ).
Referee: B Cawley (Kildare ).
