Oranmore/Maree shock St Michael’s as intermediate title race kicks off

Oranmore/Maree produced a late rally on Saturday to stun favourites St. Michael’s in their opening Group 3 fixture of the intermediate football championship at Kenny Park.

The city side were 0-18 to 1-10 ahead entering the final 10 minutes and, with the wind, looked on course for victory, especially with former Galway star Eamonn Brannigan on fire.

Oranmore/Maree had led 1-7 to 0-9 at half-time thanks to Ryan O’Donnell 13th minute goal but after being outscored 0-9 to 0-3 during the third quarter, commenced their comeback with points for Mark Ronaldson, Harry Duffy and James Cullinane.

The decisive goal arrived in the final minute through Jonathan Kelliher and Gerry Fahy’s team didn’t look back. Kelliher added a point and O’Donnell contributed a brace to finish with a personal tally of 1-4.

Glenamaddy will be their opponents in two weeks after they were six point victors over Menlough at Duggan Park on Sunday.

Glenamaddy 3-9

Menlough 1-9

Padraig Geraghty’s goal on seven minutes gave Cathal Ryan’s side the perfect start as they raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead before a Cian Mitchell mark opened the scoring for last year’s junior winners on 21 minutes.

It was 1-6 to 1-1 at half-time as after Donal Loftus was denied by the woodwork, Menlough won a penalty seconds later. Liam Carty rattled the crossbar but the rebound fell into his arms and he blasted to the net.

Points for Thomas Mellody, Carty and Robert Hughes reduced arrears but Glenamaddy replied with two goals for Ryan Duffy and MacDara Geraghty by the 38th minute.

Menlough reduced arrears to four but the final two scores came from Michael Fox and Michael Heneghan for Glenamaddy, who also had a fourth goal for Duffy ruled out for a throw.

Pictured: Conall Joyce and Marty Conneely of Clifden tussling for possession with St Brendan's Diarmuid O’Brien and Andy Muldoon of St Brendan’s during Saturday's Intermediate Football Championship clash in the Prairie. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.