Pearses come good in extra time to see off Oran’s challenge
Paul Carey hit 0-10 as Pádraig Pearses reached this year's Roscommon SFC quarter-finals at Oran's expense in Kiltoom on Wednesday evening. Picture: INPHO/John McVitty
Paul Carey hit 0-10 as reigning county senior football champions Pádraig Pearses came good in the second period of extra time to see off Oran’s gutsy challenge and qualify for this year’s Hodson Bay Hotel Group SFC quarter-finals.
Pearses were a point behind at half time in extra time but they found an extra gear, hitting nine scores in succession to leave Oran to reflect on what might have been once again.
Oran made a blistering start with two goals inside the opening ten minutes from Shane Walsh and Tom Featherston to lead by 2-3 to 0-1.
But Pearses settled, thanks to Conor Lohan’s 13th minute goal, and by the midway mark they were only a point in arrears, 2-5 to 1-7.
After both teams exchanged scores at the beginning of the second half, the defending champions appeared to land a decisive blow when Seán Canning netted to leave Pearses 2-13 to 2-10 ahead.
Charlie Carthy’s 50th minute penalty hauled Pat Regan’s men back into contention but a couple of two points frees from Paul Carey looked to have the South Roscommon men on course for victory.
But Oran held their nerve and scores from Ciarán Lawless (a two-pointer), Charlie Carthy (free) and Darragh Walsh brought a pulsating game to extra time, 3-13 to 2-16.
A black card for Conor Lohan at the start of extra time gave Oran further encouragement, and scores from play by Featherston and James Fitzpatrick handed their side a narrow one-point lead at half time in extra time.
But Pearses showed why they’re champions by turning the game around when they needed to and leave Oran on the canvas once more.
Declan Kenny brought his side level soon after the restart, and further points from Seán Canning (2), Paul Carey (a two-pointer and a free), Kenny, and a two-point free from goalkeeper Paul Whelan saw Pearses prevail by eight points, 2-26 to 3-15 — a result that hardly seemed plausible only 15 minutes earlier.
