Strokestown keep Allen Gaels at bay to reach Connacht final
Diarmuid McGann hit 1-7 during his side's Connacht semi-final victory against Allen Gaels at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
First-half goals from Mikey Kavanagh and Diarmuid McGann laid the groundwork for Strokestown’s qualification for next Sunday’s Connacht Club IFC final against Kilmeena in Castlebar.
The Roscommon champions enjoyed some hairy moments at a bitterly cold King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon but, ultimately, Pearse McGinley’s side were able to eke out the scores, hitting the last four points, including a two-pointer from substitute Seán McDonnell, to finally end a plucky challenge from Allen Gaels.
Strokestown won the toss and opted to play against the strong wind in the opening half, and that decision was justified when goals from Kavanagh and McGann put them in the driving seat.
Allen Gaels played in fits and starts but they relied on two-pointers from Radek Oberwan, Ciarán Walsh, Caleb Duffy and former Roscommon Gaels player, Kieran Kilcline (a two-point free), to keep them in touch as they trailed by 2-7 to 0-11 at half time.
A two-point free from Diarmuid McGann stretched Strokestown’s lead to five points after 40 minutes.
But Strokestown lost their way for the next 13 minutes, and Allen Gaels points from Kilcline (two frees), Duffy and Ciarán McMorrow left just a point in it with eight minutes remaining.
But the introduction of Cian Corcoran and Seán McDonnell allowed Strokestown to regain some traction around the middle third, and two rapid-fire scores from Shane McGinley and Keith Murphy eased fraying nerves.
McDonnell landed a two-pointer from the next parish, and there was still time for McGinley to score his third point of the afternoon to seal his side’s six-point victory.
Strokestown scorers: Diarmuid McGann 1-7 (three frees, one 0-2 free), Shane McGinley 0-3, Mikey Kavanagh 1-0, Kevin Finn 0-2 (two frees), Seán McDonnell 0-2 (one 0-2), Colm Neary 0-1, Keith Murphy 0-1.
Allen Gaels scorers: Kieran Kilcline 0-5 (one 0-2 free, two frees), Ciarán McMorrow 0-4 (one mark, one free), Caleb Duffy 0-3 (one 0-2), Radek Oberwan 0-2 (one 0-2), Ciarán Walsh 0-2 (one 0-2).
*Match report and pictures in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald
