Medtronic senior footballers are back in an All Ireland final when they had three points to spare over Killarney side Liebherr in the Loughgeorge on Friday.
Liebherr came to Galway as All Ireland champions, and having dominated this grade for the past three years, were looking for a fourth title in a row. However Medtronic produced a strong finish to dethrone the Kerrymen by 2-10 to 0-13 and set up an All Ireland decider with Leinster champions Suir Engineering next month.
Medtronic enjoyed a dream start when Martin Cody fired to the back of the Liebherr net, but Liebherr quickly replied with points from Ryan Carroll and Anthony Kennedy, and forced saves from Keith Murphy in the Medtronic goal. When they went ahead by two points, Medtronic replied with a second goal - Corofin duo Colm Donovan and Dylan Canny linking well before Canny fired home. Moments later Colm Donovan with a fine effort had Medtronic three clear.
Liebherr reduced the arrears to the mininum before both sides traded points with Martin Cody and Barry O’Donovan on target for Medtronic to keep them a point ahead at the break, 2-3 0-08.
The All Ireland champions had levelled within a minute of the restart, and went three in front by the 37th minute. However Medtronic began to gain control around the middle, and Cathal Newell lifted the siege with an excellent effort before Barry O’Donovan from a placed ball and Jamie Doolan traded points.
Liebherr, however, were not to score again as Medtronic took control. Two points from half-time substitute David Walsh and an excellent effort from Joe Canney edged Medtronic in front in the 56th minute, and late points from Barry and Colm Donovan secured victory.
Medtronic: K Murphy, A Warde, K Doohar, G Cafferky, O Mannion, E Mullarkey, C Newell (0-1 ), M Shaughnessy, D Hogan, M Cody (1-1 ), C Mimnagh, D Canney (1-1 ), C Donovan (0-2 ) J McInerney, B Donovan (0-3, 2f ) Subs: D Walsh(0-2 ), B McLoughlin, E Fleming.
Safety Direct denied
There was no luck for Safety Direct when they were defeated by a strong Atlantic Aviation/Molex side in the All Ireland Junior hurling semi-final by 3-15 to 1-17.
In a cracking contest, the Clare side finished stronger, while Safety Direct were left to rue some wayward shooting when they were on top.
Atlantic Aviation/Molex were just a point ahead at the break, with 2-06 to 0-11, but with 10 minutes remaining Safety were two up, but the Munster champions took control late in the game to finish four-point victors.
Safety Direct: A Bindon, S Kilduff, D Cronin, A Greaney, J Greaney, M Keating(0-1 ), M O Curraoin, B Daly(0-1 ), V Doyle, M Daly (0-4 ), D Nevin(0-7, 5f ), C Fahy(0-1 ), J Blake, K Salmon, E Forde(0-1 ). Subs: A Ward (0-2 ), D Donohue (1-0 ), D Malone.
