Cappataggle rally to force intermediate final draw

Ahascragh/Fohenagh     0-11

Cappataggle       0-11

A final neither team deserved to win or lose. In the end, it was Cappataggle who came from five points down early in the second half to salvage the draw – hitting three unanswered points in the dying minutes to do so – and leave underdogs Ahascragh/Fohenagh mulling over ‘what might have been?’

In front of a large crowd – and played in apocalyptic conditions at Duggan Park – the intermediate showpiece lacked nothing in excitement but, unfortunately, was bereft of a great deal of quality, largely due to the atrocious conditions. Then again, what can you expect of a final played in November?

At any rate, whoever wins next Saturday’s replay will now have to play their Connacht final against Ballyhaunis 24 hours later – just as it was for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry in 2009 – and, with both sides accruing injuries, it’s going to be difficult for Galway to maintain its 100% record in this competition.

That, though, will not concern Cappataggle or Ahascragh/Fohenagh for now but, instead, they will be analysing their own performances to see where they can gain the couple of extra percent to nudge them over the winning line when they return to Ballinasloe this weekend.

No doubt, both have great scope for improvement, particularly Cappataggle. Gerry Healy’s men created far more scoring chances than their more economical opponents throughout, but a failure to convert these effectively resulted in them playing second fiddle for large tracts of the contest.

Indeed, after the first quarter, they trailed by five points to two and their fortunes had not improved to any great extent by the interval when they slipped further behind, 0-8 to 0-4.

Cappataggle did break even in the third quarter – two points apiece – although had brothers Cathal and Padraig Mannion converted Ahascragh/Fohenagh chances on 36 and 38 minutes to extend their side’s advantage, then Cappy may not have lived to tell a tale.

As it was, they did dig deep and points from the energetic Daniel Nevin (three frees), substitute Patrick Egan – a sublime sideline cut, especially given the conditions – and Alan Dolan preserved their title ambitions.

That said, it was by no means a flawless final quarter for Cappy. While Nevin was unlucky not to see a 49th minute sideline end up in the net – Ahascragh/Fohenagh ‘keeper Donal Kelly alive to the danger – he then missed the resulting ‘65 before he spurned another placed ball moments later.

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.