St Michael's and Barna must meet again
St Michael’s and Barna must do it all again after the sides finished level at 0-12 apiece in the county football championship semi-final on Sunday.
Leading 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time at Tuam Stadium, St Michael’s controlled the contest for long periods but a late Barna rally saw Pat Fallon’s side dramatically take the lead through a DD Flaherty point seven minutes into stoppage time.
However, St Michael’s, who were led throughout by man of the match Frank Daly, duly responded and a minute later Greg Rogan kicked the equaliser to send what was an intriguing county semi-final clash to a replay.
The reason for such a protracted period of injury-time was due to a serious rib injury at the outset of the second half to St Michael’s full-back Alan Glynn, who was later hospitalised but it is understood was making a good recovery yesterday (Monday).
With a number of St Michael’s players involved with Rahoon/Newcastle in their county intermediate hurling championship quarter-final against Cappataggle at Kenny Park, Athenry this Sunday (2pm), it is now likely the replay will not take place until the following weekend.
Reigning champions Corofin are now overwhelming favourites at 1/16 on to retain their county crown having brushed aside the meek challenge of Milltown – 4-14 to 0-2 – in a disappointing curtain-raiser at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.
The champions led 0-6 to 0-1 at half-time and subsequently put the issue to bed as early as the 43rd minute when Liam Silke netted Corofin’s first goal to put them into a commanding 1-12 to 0-1 lead.
Further goals from Michael Lundy, Martin Farragher and substitute Ian Burke rubberstamped the victory over a frustrated Milltown outfit that finished with 13 men following the dismissals late on of brothers Ciaran and Sean Blake.
Elsewhere, All-Ireland club champions Portumna scored an unanswered 1-1 in the dying minutes to run out 2-15 to 1-17 winners over Loughrea in their SHC quarter-final clash at Kenny Park, Athenry. They will now face Craughwell, 0-19 to 1-13 winners over Tommy Larkins, in the county semi-final in a fortnight’s time.
The other side of the draw has pitted Gort, who comprehensively defeated Killimordaly 3-11 to 0-11 in their quarter-final, against Ardrahan or Turloughmore in the other SHC semi-final.
The teams drew their quarter-final after Ardrahan hit five unanswered points late on to leave the final score Ardrahan 0-18 Turloughmroe 1-15. The replay is scheduled for Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday.