POBALSCOIL CHORCA DHUIBHNE remain on course for back-to-back Hogan Cup wins. The holders needed extra-time against St Pat’s of Cavan in this afternoon’s hard-fought semi-final.
The Kerry and Munster standard-bearers won by 1-14 to 1-11 in Nenagh, as St Pat’s lost Ben Conaty to a late red card. Dingle-based Pobalscoil outscored their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1 in extra-time to set up a final meeting with Roscommon CBS at Croke Park in a fortnight.
In the first period of extra-time, Pobalscoil scored three unanswered points to establish a 1-13 to 1-10 lead at the turn. Sean Garvey, Conor Geaney and Séamus Ó’Muircheartaigh were on target for the Kerry boys as they came on strong with the breeze – before Geaney added another in the second period of extra-time.
Pobalscoil had Ó’Muircheartaigh to thank for taking the game the distance – as he came back on as a sub in the third minute of injury-time to kick an equalising free. Ó’Muircheartaigh’s 45m effort levelled the game at 1-10 apiece – and ultimately kept Pobalscoil’s title dreams alive.
Approaching half-time in normal time, the sides were level at 0-5 to 1-2, with Conor Geaney hitting four pointed frees for Pobalscoil. Playing against the breeze from the start, Pobalscoil were rocked by an early goal scored by St Pat’s midfielder Brendan Argue, but recovered to lead by 1-6 to 1-3 at half-time. The Pobalscoil goal before half-time was netted by Cathal Bambury, after PJ Mac Láimh’s effort was saved.
Meanwhile, Roscommon CBS secured a 0-10 to 0-8 victory against Wexford’s Good Counsel in Newbridge – to reach a very first A final. At half-time, Roscommon CBS led by 0-6 to 0-5, having played with the breeze from the start. But it was Good Counsel who got off to the better start, leading by 0-4 to 0-2 as Thomas O’Connor bagged three points.
Conor Shanagher edged Roscommon backed into contention before Noel Gately’s massive point levelled the tie at 0-4 each after 18 minutes. A number of stoppages followed before Richard Hughes struck to put Roscommon in front for the first time. That lead was increased by Gately before O’Connor reduced the deficit before half-time with another free. Darragh Joyce’s 36th minute point tied the game at 0-6 each but Roscommon’s tactics were clever into the breeze and they hit back to lead by 0-8 to 0-6.
O’Connor and Gately traded points as Roscommon maintained the whip hand before Jason Dunne’s point left the bare minimum between the sides. But that man Gately made sure of the win for Roscommon with a close range free four minutes from time. Gately missed a late goal chance while at the other end, Good Counsel threw everything at their opponents in a vain attempt to steal a late winning goal.
