St Croan's pay the penalty
Eoin Collins and his St. Croan's teammates were denied a place in the Connacht junior final following a defeat to Kiltimagh on penalties
**Kiltimagh win 3-2 on penalties**
An heroic St. Croan’s performance wasn’t enough as they lost out on penalties to ensure Kiltimagh progress through to a Connacht Junior football final against Leitrim’s Aughavas.
The Mayo side squandered numerous opportunities with Mike Holland pulling off three superb saves during the 80 minutes of tension filled action while the St. Croan’s shotstopper produced three more stops in the subsequent penalty shootout.
St. Croan’s, having been on the backfoot for much of the contest, led the shootout 2-1 after two penalties. However, they missed their next four spot kicks as Kiltimagh won following sudden death.
In a cautious first half, Kiltimagh looked a step ahead as they led 1-6 to 0-5 at half time. Paul Kelly’s fourth minute goal proved the defining score in the opening 30 minutes as St. Croan’s struggled to break down their opponent’s well organised defence.
St. Croan’s looked dead and buried when Fionan Burke’s goal left them 2-8 to 0-8 behind after 49 minutes. But they scored 1-3 without reply, which included Callum Pacey’s goal and a 66th minute free from Keith Muldoon to send the contest to extra time.
A free apiece from Muldoon and Aidan Brogan saw St. Croan’s lead by the minimum at half time of extra time. Oisin Mulderrig equalised before a superb Ryan Hanley effort pushed St. Croan’s 1-14 to 2-10 in front.
But, Kiltimagh came back as Thomas Keegan kicked a 78th minute equaliser to send the game to spot kicks.
Kiltimagh went first in the shootout with Burke thwarted by Holland. Ger Conaughton and Alan Conroy slotted their penalties to help St. Croan’s lead 2-1.
However, St. Croan’s radar was off thereafter as Burke made amends with his second penalty of the shootout to spell agony for Vinnie Egan’s men.
**Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald**
