Fuerty shock Tulsk to qualify for intermediate football championship semi-finals
Colin Murray and his Fuerty team-mates enjoyed a superb victory against Tulsk on Saturday to set up a county intermediate football semi-final against Strokestown. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Fuerty have dumped one of the pre-championship favourites, Tulsk Lord Edwards, out of the Ward Bros. sponsored intermediate football championship following a fully deserved 0-12 to 1-6 quarter-final victory at O’Rourke Park, Castlerea, on Saturday afternoon.
Tony Brennan’s team were full value for their success against a lacklustre Tulsk team that were a huge disappointment.
With Ben McGahon, Eoin Ward, Eamon Bannon, Cian Murray, Jack McGahon, Colin Murray and Geároid Ennis to the fore, Fuerty dominated the opening half and were deservedly 0-8 to 0-2 in front at the break — ending the half on a high when Ennis floated over a delightful sideline kick from the right wing.
Daniel Connolly’s 37th minute goal laid the foundations for a potential Tulsk comeback but some wild shooting summed up their poorest display of the season.
Fuerty could have been further in front, but two points inside a minute from Jack McGahon and Cian Murray left them six points to the good with 11 minutes remaining.
A two-pointer from substitute Jack Flynn and a free from goalkeeper, Seán Martin, left Liam McNeill’s men in the hunt, but they couldn’t manufacture an equaliser as Fuerty secured a famous victory.
In their semi-final in two weeks’ time, they will face Strokestown who enjoyed a comfortable 1-24 to 0-12 victory against Creggs at Knockcroghery earlier in the afternoon, in what will be a repeat of last year’s last four clash.
Last year’s beaten finalists were never troubled, with Kevin Finn leading the way with five first-half points, including four from play.
Keith Murphy’s well-taken 24th minute goal, which was set up by a superb pass from Stephen Tighe, put the ‘Town well and truly in the driving seat, and although Shane and Ronan Dowd struck for a couple of two-pointers inside 60 seconds, Creggs still trailed by 1-12 to 0-6 at the break.
The second half continued along similar lines, with Strokestown’s top scorer Diarmuid McGann landing 0-10, including three two-point frees, to leave his side comfortable winners.
In Saturday’s King and Moffatt Junior A football championship quarter-finals, St. Aidan’s were 0-17 to 0-11 winners against St. Ronan’s at Orchard Park, Elphin.
A hat-trick of scores apiece for Rory Coyle and Gavin Meares left the winners 0-7 to 0-4 ahead at half time, and they extended that buffer in the second half with four two-pointers, while substitute Mikey Dunning also got in on the act with the final kick of the game.
Western Gaels made it a great weekend for the club by overcoming Boyle, 1-14 to 0-8, at Ardcarne Park, Cootehall.
Matthew Drury’s first-half goal, which Boyle claimed was a square ball, left his side on level terms at the break, 1-4 to 0-7.
A second yellow card for Boyle’s Roch Hanmore left his side in bother, and Western Gaels duly added a necklace of scores, including two-pointers from Donal Cafferky and Derek Moran, to run out comfortable winners.
The third quarter-final between Ballinmeen and Clann na nGael resulted in a dramatic finish in Lisnamult, with Dessie Carlos' two-point free in the fourth minute of injury time procuring a terrific 2-14 to 2-12 triumph for the North Roscommon side.
Cathal Shine's goal in first-half injury time left Clann 1-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break, but Ronan Garvan's 37th minute goal left Ballinameen just four points behind.
But Callum O'Brien's three-pointer put Clann in the driving seat again, only for David Wynne to respond with Ballinameen's second goal to leave it 2-10 to 2-8 in Emmet Durney's side's favour at the three-quarter stage.
A terrific game continued to ebb and flow, and it looked like extra-time might be needed when Gavin McManus brought Clann level in injury time.
But Carlos came up trumps to land the decisive blow in the fourth minute of additional time, and spark off jubiliant scenes among the Ballinameen faithful.
