GALWAY CAUSED A mild surprise to win an interesting All Ireland under 21 semi-final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
Having scorched through Leinster Kildare entered this clash as the warmest of favourites, but Galway were braced for a challenge and they were deserving victors.
Kildare crafted several scoring opportunities early on, but they weren’t clinical enough converting.
That meant by the 10th minute Galway’s Shane Walsh and Kildare’s Daniel Flynn had traded points.
Galway then pounced for an 11th minute goal when Ian Burke’s pass released Tom Flynn, who confidently the ball past the advancing Mark Donnellan.
But Kildare were back on terms on 13 when Daniel Flynn netted following a sharp Niall Kelly delivery.
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Kildare continued to miss chances and Galway were a bit more efficient up front accumulating a 1-5 to 1-2 advantage by the 28th minute.
A Fionn Dowling effort trimmed the deficit again, but Walsh clipped a fine point from play, and Galway departed 1-6 to 1-3 ahead at the interval.
It was a similar story of Kildare running the ball after the interval and following a burst of pressure Padraig Fogarty nailed a point.
But Galway were defiant and in Walsh they have a youngster with a drop of class and the Kilkerrin-Clonberne attacker struck a delightful response.
Walsh then converted a routine free for the maroons, who were coping with Kildare’s energy and enthusiasm.
Kildare selector and former Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy. Credit: Screengrab
Paul Cribbin narrowed the gap once more, but Galway were still 1-8 to 1-5 in the ascendancy at the three quarter stage.
The underdogs bagged a second goal in the 46th minute when Adrian Varley and Burke’s skill allowed Sean Moran slam the ball to the back of the Kildare net.
But the Lilywhites replied on 50 when Padraig Fogarty provided the assist for Sean Hurley to palm a goal and it was game on.
Galway, though, stayed calm as Walsh and Cathal Mulryan hit critical scores to book a place in the All Ireland decider.
Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-6 (3fs), Sean Moran 1-1, Tom Flynn 1-0, Ian Burke 0-1, Damien Comer 0-1, Cathal Mulryan (0-1).
Scorers for Kildare: Daniel Flynn 1-1, Sean Hurley 1-0, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paul Cribbin 0-1, Fionn Dowling 0-1, Padraig Fogarty 0-1.
Galway: Thomas Healy (Corofin); Mark Loughnane (St Gabriel’s), James Shaughnessy (Ballinasloe), David Cunnane (St Michael’s); Daithi Burke (Corofin), Paul Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks), Gearoid Canavan (Salthill-Knocknacarra); Tom Flynn (Athenry), Fiontan O’Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach); Cathal Mulryan (Cortoon Shamrocks), Sean Moran (Claregalway), Damien Comer (Annaghdown); Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Adrian Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks), Ian Burke (Corofin). Subs: C Rabbitte (Kilkerrin-Clonberne) for Burke (41), Philip Ezergailis (Moycullen) for Cunnane (44), Liam Silke (Corofin) for Canavan (52), Eoghan Commins (Claregalway) for Comer (59).
Kildare: Mark Donnellan (Maynooth); Michael Konstantin (Cellbridge), David Hyland (Athy), Sean Higgins (Maynooth); Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge), Fergal Conway (Celbridge), Jonathan Byrne (Allenwood); Thomas Moolick (Leixlip), Sean Hurley (Johnstownbridge); Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge), Niall Kelly (Athy), Fionn Dowling (Suncroft); Paddy Brophy (Celbridge), Liam McGovern (Athy), Padraig Fogarty (St Laurence’s). Subs: Hugh Mahon (Athy) for Fogarty (49), Tony Gibbons (Athy) for McGovern (56), Gavin Farrell (Castledermot) for Dowling (56).
Tribesmen progress to U21 FC final after seeing off Kildare
Galway 2-10
Kildare 2-5
GALWAY CAUSED A mild surprise to win an interesting All Ireland under 21 semi-final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
Having scorched through Leinster Kildare entered this clash as the warmest of favourites, but Galway were braced for a challenge and they were deserving victors.
Kildare crafted several scoring opportunities early on, but they weren’t clinical enough converting.
That meant by the 10th minute Galway’s Shane Walsh and Kildare’s Daniel Flynn had traded points.
Galway then pounced for an 11th minute goal when Ian Burke’s pass released Tom Flynn, who confidently the ball past the advancing Mark Donnellan.
But Kildare were back on terms on 13 when Daniel Flynn netted following a sharp Niall Kelly delivery.
Kildare continued to miss chances and Galway were a bit more efficient up front accumulating a 1-5 to 1-2 advantage by the 28th minute.
A Fionn Dowling effort trimmed the deficit again, but Walsh clipped a fine point from play, and Galway departed 1-6 to 1-3 ahead at the interval.
It was a similar story of Kildare running the ball after the interval and following a burst of pressure Padraig Fogarty nailed a point.
But Galway were defiant and in Walsh they have a youngster with a drop of class and the Kilkerrin-Clonberne attacker struck a delightful response.
Walsh then converted a routine free for the maroons, who were coping with Kildare’s energy and enthusiasm.
Paul Cribbin narrowed the gap once more, but Galway were still 1-8 to 1-5 in the ascendancy at the three quarter stage.
The underdogs bagged a second goal in the 46th minute when Adrian Varley and Burke’s skill allowed Sean Moran slam the ball to the back of the Kildare net.
But the Lilywhites replied on 50 when Padraig Fogarty provided the assist for Sean Hurley to palm a goal and it was game on.
Galway, though, stayed calm as Walsh and Cathal Mulryan hit critical scores to book a place in the All Ireland decider.
Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-6 (3fs), Sean Moran 1-1, Tom Flynn 1-0, Ian Burke 0-1, Damien Comer 0-1, Cathal Mulryan (0-1).
Scorers for Kildare: Daniel Flynn 1-1, Sean Hurley 1-0, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paul Cribbin 0-1, Fionn Dowling 0-1, Padraig Fogarty 0-1.
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
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