Pearses knocked out of senior hurling championship as Dominic's make semi-finals
Mickey Joe Egan and his St. Dominic's team-mates are safely through the semi-finals of the Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
An afternoon of drama in the Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship saw Pádraig Pearses eliminated at the end of the group stages for the second year in succession.
With Oran losing to Athleague earlier in the day in Ballyforan, a Pearses win over Roscommon Gaels would have knocked out Kieran Farrell’s side who were beaten in the semi-finals, after extra time, last year.
But the Gaels did their neighbours a huge favour as two late Finn Killion frees helped Roscommon Gaels secure a share of the spoils and send Pearses crashing out of the race for the Mickey Cunniffe Cup.
Pearses appeared to be in pole position throughout but despite scores from Seán Canning (free) and Karl Feehily giving them a two-point lead late in the game, Killion responded to ensure the teams were deadlocked, 1-16 apiece.
The Woodmount-based side led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval and they increased that advantage when Matthew Comerford netted within 30 seconds of the restart.
Aided by Finn Killion and Brendan Quinn frees, however, the Gaels grew in stature before Ryan Conlon netted.
Canning and Feehily appeared to book their team a place in the quarter-final, but Killion had other ideas to break Pearses hearts.
A strong final quarter showing from Athleague saw them beat Oran by 1-17 to 2-12 in the first of Sunday’s games at St. Aidan’s GAA grounds.
Both sides netted in the opening half through Cian Murray for Athleague and Paddy Fallon for Oran — the latter seeing his long-range free go all the way to the net — as Oran took a narrow 1-9 to 1-8 lead into the interval.
When Oisín Keenan grabbed his side’s second goal six minutes into the second half, Oran were in the box seat for victory.
But Athleague finished strongly, hitting eight points without reply with substitutes David Flaherty and Eamonn Bannon getting in on the scoring act alongside Murray and Ben McGahon — the latter ending up with 0-9 (seven frees) overall.
As a result of today’s results, Athleague have set up a rematch against Oran in the quarter-finals, while Tremane will meet Roscommon Gaels in the other quarter-final.
On Saturday evening in Creggs, St. Dominic’s joined Four Roads in the semi-finals with an emphatic 4-18 to 0-9 victory against Tremane.
Two goals in either half allowed Dom’s take the direct route to the last four as Naos Connaughton and Jack Lohan fired home first-half majors to help their side lead by 2-11 to 0-5 at the interval.
Connaughton and Lohan combined for 2-12, helping their side to maintain a comfortable lead.
Late goals by substitutes Lorcan Lyons and Connell Kennelly confirmed the victory as St. Dominic's rediscovered their scoring form.
