Relegations and opening semi final places confirmed
Strokestown goalkeeper Niall Curley and Dylan Owens helped Strokestown progress to the Hodson Bay Group senior football championship semi final.
Strokestown and St. Michael’s confirmed their places in the senior and intermediate semi finals respectively following a busy evening of action.
Meanwhile, St. Faithleach’s have suffered relegation to the intermediate ranks following their 1-17 to 1-12 defeat to Clann na nGael in the senior relegation final. In the intermediate relegation final, St. Croan’s ensured they did not suffer an immediate return to the junior ranks as they secured a comfortable victory over Pádraig Pearses B.
Strokestown made light of the absences of David Neary and Shane McGinley as they overcame Castlerea St. Kevin’s by 1-15 to 1-9 on a fiendishly difficult evening for football in Ballyforan.
This was a professional display by Strokestown as they reached their first county senior semi final since their run to the title in 2022.
They raced 0-6 to 0-1 in front with Diarmuid McGann and Cathal Lavin arrowing over two-pointers although they were dealt a blow when David McDonnell was forced off after six minutes.
But, Castlerea struggled up front as John Curran came close to netting before he was thwarted from the penalty spot by Niall Curley after 15 minutes. Strokestown were more economical as Colm Neary produced a trademark surge from deep before squaring for Mikey Kavanagh to palm to the net.
Even though Dara Curran and Adam McDermott (free), answered back, Strokestown enjoyed a healthy 1-8 to 0-5 half time lead. They pushed their lead out to nine in the opening stages of the second half as Niall Curley strode forward to slot a two-point free.
Castlerea struggled to convert two point opportunities but they got a lifeline when sub Aaron McDermott scrambled the ball to the net in the 59th minute. However, Sean McDonnell, who kicked three points from play after replacing David McDonnell, kicked a settling score to ensure Strokestown progress to the final four, where they will face St. Brigid’s or Roscommon Gaels.
A fast-finishing Clann na nGael secured their senior status as they downed St. Faithleach’s 1-17 to 1-12.
Despite Diarmuid Murtagh opening the scoring, Clann received a boost when Ultan Harney, who started at full forward palmed David McManus’ delivery to the net. Shane Gavin came tantalisingly close to adding a second major but Clann, aided by Harney and Paul McManus two-pointers led 1-8 to 0-5 at half time.
With their senior status on the line, St. Faithleach’s began the second half with vigour. Ciaráin Murtagh rattled the back of the net as momentum swung the way of Ian Bradley’s charges.
Diarmuid Murtagh was denied an equalising goal by Clann goalkeeper Seán Kelly but Ciaráin Murtagh kicked four successive points, including a two-pointer to move St. Faithleach’s, 1-9 to 1-8 in front.
A Diarmuid Murtagh score helped push the lead to two points but Clann hit back as Tom Sheehan tied the game at 1-12 apiece. That was the first of six points without reply for Clann as Ciarán Lennon (two frees), Paul McManus (two) and David Connaughton ensured Clann avoided the drop.
St. Michael’s were made go the full distance at Strokestown, where they beat Kilmore 2-9 to 1-10 after extra time to book their place in the McNulty Furniture intermediate football championship semi final.
A low scoring and cagey affair between the two North Roscommon rivals was evident from the start, and when Sean Farrell found the net for Michael’s in the 10th minute it had the potential to be the game’s defining score.
St. Michael’s led by four at the interval, but Cathal Caslin responded early with a goal in the second for Kilmore. Niall Conlon slotted a penalty shortly afterwards however Kilmore gradually restored parity by injury time before Jack Lane thought he kicked the winner for Michael’s in the 63rd minute.
However there was still time for Darragh Devaney to level it at 1-9 to 2-6 and bring it to extra time, where St. Michael’s superior fitness saw them reach the semi final stage for the second successive year.
St. Croan's retained their intermediate status for next year when they beat Pádraig Pearses B by 5-16 to 0-9 in Athleague. Early goals from Ger Connaughton and Aidan Brogan against the wind gave Croan's the cushion they needed to keep a spirited Pearses at arm's length in the first-half.
With the strong wind behind them, Croan's were rampant in the second-half and their victory was embellished with goals from Alan Conroy, Rory Kelly and Eoin Collins.
