THE CHAMPIONS SURVIVED to book a place in the Roscommon final, Scotstown reached the Monaghan decider for the eighth year in a row and Knockmore qualified for the Mayo final on a key day of club football semi-final action.
Padraig Pearses, winners last season of the title for the first time in Roscommon, saw off Clann na nGael by 1-11 to 1-10 with Lorcan Daly the scoring hero for their semi-final clash in Dr Hyde Park. The teams were tied at 0-6 apiece before a tight second-half unfolded until Daly popped up with the victor.
Earlier in the day St Brigid’s ensured they will feature in the decider for the 9th time in 11 seasons as they overcame Boyle by 2-15 to 2-9 in the first semi-final of the day. Ruaidhri Fallon gave them a strong early start when he netted for Brigid’s and it was Ben O’Carroll who pounced for the second goal late on. The final will be a repeat of the 2016 showdown which Brigid’s triumped in.
The second semi-final tie in Mayo saw Knockmore qualify for the decider against Breaffy with their 0-17 to 0-13 victory over Ballina Stephenites today. Knockmore last contested the final in 2016 and will be aiming to end a title drought that stretches back to 1997.
The springboard for this success came in the opening period with Knockmore in front 0-11 to 0-5 at the interval. Peter Naughton ended up their top scorere with 0-7, Aiden Orme chipped in with 0-4 and their leading Mayo figure Kevin McLoughlin notched 0-3. Evan Regan was top scorer for Ballina with 0-4.
In Monaghan there were semi-final victories for Scotstown, who were chasing five-in-a-row before losing out to Clontibret in last year’s decider, and Ballybay, who were most recently champions in 2012.
Scotstown were in control as they despatched Carrickmacross by 0-17 to 1-6 while Ballybay needed extra-time to defeat Inniskeen in a high-scoring clash by 4-19 to 1-25.
Results
Mayo SFC semi-final
Knockmore 0-17 Breaffy 0-13
Monaghan SFC semi-finals
Ballybay 4-19 Inniskeen 1-25 (after extra-time)
Scotstown 0-17 Carrickmacross 1-6
Roscommon SFC semi-finals
St Brigid’s 2-15 Boyle 2-9
Padraig Pearses 1-11 Clann na nGael 1-10
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6 goals from midfield in a relegated team is impressive. He needs to get back to Celtic and push for a starting place, tough competition there.
Good experience for him with the international set up though.
@Bert Carolan: we all know the track record on Irish players in Celtic think he’s far better to get out of there. As a player he seems to tick a lot of boxes as a solid midfielder so with a bit of luck he can make the step up at international level, attract a bit of interest and secure a transfer to a bigger club like Ogbene did.
@Aprior: The track record for Irish players might not be great at Celtic but a lot of Irish players go there, obviously there is going to be a lot of failures. You’re going to have a few Johnny Kenny’s for every Liam scales.
Utd and Pool combined have only Kelleher come through in last 10 years. Probably some Irish lads go to Celtic when they should go to a lower profile club.
@Aprior: He’ll surely get his chance preseason, best of luck to him anyway.
@Aprior: I disagree with this comment. Look at the season just had by Liam Scales and Adam Idah. I also hope Celtic fork out the required amount and sign Idah permanently or else he can return to Norwich reserves and you can continue your narrative about the Irish at Celtic. Nobody has the divine right to a jersey, that has to be earned. It also must be remembered that prior to this Lawal was seen as a defender, an average one it was a recent conversion at Fleetwood to his original position of CDM has brought the best out of him. A position both Celtic and Ireland need depth in.
Hopefully he gets a run out tomorrow night. A future star can play as a defender or a midfielder very comfortable on the ball. Best of luck Bosun.
Got to expect Jake O Brien to get a game or 2 he’s out in form Centre back we have