Galway 2-17
Kildare 0-15
Daragh Small reports from Pearse Park
NATHAN GRAINGER’S GOAL wrapped things up and Galway advanced to the All-Ireland MFC semi-finals with victory over Kildare.
It was the final game in an exciting trilogy under the sun at Pearse Park in Longford and this didn’t disappoint either.
Galway made the perfect start when James McLaughlin claimed the throw-in and burst forward to rifle his shot into the Kildare net after just ten seconds.
But Kildare held their nerve and despite further efforts from Nathan Grainger, Daniel Cox and Tomo Culhane Galway couldn’t create a sufficient gap.
Eoin Bagnall landed Kildare’s first point in the first minute and he doubled his tally after Adam Conneely’s opener. Then when Aaron Browne scored Kildare only trailed 1-3 to 0-4.
But Culhane scored an outstanding free and Evan Nolan tagged on another point. Browne’s second was a thing of beauty but Galway were still in front.
Fast out of the blocks!
— Totum Sport (@totumsport_IRE) July 27, 2019
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC Quarter-Final result #PoweredByTotum @Galway_GAA 2-17 Kildare 0-15#TeamTotum #DefyTheNorm
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Nevertheless, Bagnell’s third point brought the difference back to two again and Kildare’s third point in a row arrived from the boot of Ciarán O’Brien before he departed injured.
Grainger scored Galway’s first point in seven minutes and Culhane scored the final point of the half from a free after Bagnall finished off his fourth point.
Galway scored the first four points of the second through Warren Seoige (two), Cox and Nolan.
But Kildare scored three points-in-a-row with Bagnall’s fifth point reduced the arrears to a goal. Galway scored two points and then Kildare fought back again.
Aedan Boyle’s first point left Kildare trailing 1-13 to 0-14 with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.
But Grainger scored the crucial goal in the 51st minute and a couple of Tomo Culhane points finished things off for Galway.
Scorers for Galway: Tomo Culhane 0-6 (0-5f), Nathan Grainger 1-2, James McLaughlin 1-1, Daniel Cox 0-3, Warren Seoige 0-2, Evan Nolan 0-2, Daniel Cunningham 0-1
Scorers for Kildare: Eoin Bagnell 0-5 (0-4f), Aaron Browne 0-5, Adam Conneely 0-2, Ciarán O’Brien 0-1, Aedan Boyle 0-1, PJ Cullen 0-1.
Galway:
1. Donie Halleran (Cortoon Shamrocks)
2. Jonathan McGrath (Caherlistrane)
3. Ruairí King (Clifden)
4. Liam Tevnan (Northern Gaels)
5. Cian Hernon (Bearna)
6. Ethan Fiorentini (St Michaels)
7. Kyle O’Neill (Caherlistrane)
8. James McLaughlin (Moycullen)
9. Daniel O’Flaherty (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
10. Evan Nolan (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
11. Warren Seoige (Naomh Anna Leitir Móir)
12. Dylan Brady (Corofin)
13. Nathan Grainger (Claregalway)
14. Tomo Culhane (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
15. Daniel Cox (Moycullen)
Substitutes:
22. Conall Gallagher (St Michaels) for Brady (40)
21. Mark Colleran (Tuam Stars) for O’Flaherty (51)
24. Niall Cunningham (St Gabriels) for Grainger (54)
17. James Webb (Oughterard) for O’Neill (61)
23. Alan Naughton (Caltra) for Nolan (61).
Kildare:
1. Cian Burke (Clane)
24. Mark Maguire (Naas)
3. Conan Boran (Eadestown)
4. Tommy Gill (Carbury)
18. PJ Cullen (St Laurence’s)
6. Oisín O’Rourke (Athy)
7. Jack Quinn (Leixlip)
8. Shane Flynn (Balyna)
9. Kevin Eustace (St Laurence’s)
12. Eoin Bagnell (Aylmer Gaels)
15. Ciarán O’Brien (Kilcullen)
14. Aaron Browne (Celbridge)
13. Eoin Meehan (Moorefield)
11. Aedan Boyle (Balyna)
10. Adam Conneely (Two Mile House)
Substitutes:
17. Daniel Woulfe (Naas) for O’Brien (31, inj)
21. Mickey Delahunty (Abbey Rangers) for Meehan (36)
5. Ryan Comeou (Balyna) for O’Rourke (40)
23. Oisín Milmoe (Carbury) for Boyle (53)
20. Matthew Whelan (Naas) for Quinn (54)
2. Joel Kavanagh (Kilcullen) for Maguire (59).
Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).
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Two incredible tennis players, full marks to both.
Thought it was a brilliant sporting occasion, two heavyweights toe to toe giving their all, gracious and sporting afterwards one in victory the other in defeat … True corinthian spirit of sport!
Brilliant match, every point fought for
Fantastic stuff. Well done to Novac!! Federer is an unbelievable sportsman. Mr Murray would want to look and learn how he conducts himself on the court when when winning or loosing.
Incredible match and kudos to both men. After his 4th set collapse Djokovic could have wilted but instead showed his indomitable spirit. 7 grand slam wins now and if he didn’t play in the Federer/Nadal era it would be twice that amount. Will be an all time great, along with the aforementioned pair by the time his career ends.
Was hoping Roger could make it number 18 in slams and a record 8th mens title but not to be. He might not get too many more chances but he is such an incredible athlete you wouldnt bet against it. We are in not just a golden era of mens tennis, but a golden era of sporting excellence with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic all battling it out. And they are all such classy individuals on and off the court.
Ah gwan roger ya legend!!ya magician ya!its relaxing just to watch how pure and fluid he is win he is on the tennis court.Getting abit older but still plugging away when he us supposed to be in decline,pluggin away like a true champion!well done to novak,tough test that would give him unbelievable confidence!