Oran to play Four Roads in county senior hurling final

Oran are back in their first Roscommon senior hurling final since 2016 after they overcame St. Dominic’s to set up a decider against defending champions Four Roads on Sunday week.

Francie Quine’s side edged out last year’s defeated finalists by 1-14 to 1-12 in Ballyforan, thanks to late points from Paddy Fallon and Player of the Match Cathal Kenny.

Dominic’s, who lost their captain Jack Lohan to a shoulder injury in the 24th minute, were two points ahead at the break, 0-7 to 0-5, and a delightful necklace of Colm Lyons scores from play maintained that margin with 11 minutes remaining.

But a 51st minute goal from David McDermott catapulted Oran into the lead, and although two Paddy Fallon frees followed to stretch his side’s lead to three points, Naos Connaughton’s 58th minute penalty brought the sides level.

Oran had to climb the mountain again, but they did so as a Fallon free was followed by Kenny’s third wonderful score of the afternoon to seal a famous victory.

In the other semi-final, which was moved to Kiltoom, Four Roads’ bid for four-in-a-row remains on track as they always kept Pádraig Pearses at arm’s length to prevail by 3-15 to 1-15.

First-half goals from Liam Óg Coyle and Conor Morris handed their side a 2-6 to 0-8 lead, and when Morris grabbed his second goal of the game — this time from the penalty spot — three minutes into the second half, the defending champions were well on their way to reaching another final.

Pearses could never gain any traction, and even though Seán Canning grabbed a late goal from a free, there was no doubting Four Roads’ superiority over the course of the game.

*Reports and reaction from both county senior hurling championship semi-finals in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald