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A week after their heroic 14-man victory in retaining their county title Robert Emmetts staged another backs-to-the-wall performance before finally seeing off a gallant Fr. Murphys challenge in the second semi-final at Ruislip on Sunday.

Two late points, including one from a free from second-half substitute John McGaughan proved decisive for Robert Emmetts as they deservedly clinched their place in this year’s League final.

Although playing against the wind in the opening half Fergus McMahon gave Robert Emmetts the lead with a point from a free after three minutes.

But Fr Murphys were soon on the offensive and after a couple of early wides a well-worked move involving Stephen Malone and Colin Hayes set-up Eoin Ryan for the opening goal after six minutes.

Fr Murphys should have made much better use of all the possession they enjoyed in the opening quarter but only added a Conor Sexton pointed free to their tally before the Emmetts responded strongly with four Kevin McMullen points, including two from frees to tie the scores after 20 minutes.

However, a stylish finish from Colin Hayes a minute later saw the Murphys regain the lead with their second goal and with two points from Conor Sexton within the next five minutes, including one from a 65, Murphys were back in control as half-time approached.

When Seanie Quinn and Conor Sexton traded points in the closing minutes of the half, Murphys were still holding a useful 2-5 to 0-6 lead at the interval.

Despite a brave rearguard action Murphys finally succumbed to a succession of six points in reply to a Stephen Malone point in the 37th minute to draw level after 49 minutes.

However, a good solo point from Darren Howlin offered some hope for Murphys two minutes later but their lead was short-lived after Fergus McMahon was fouled on the halfway line.

After picking himself up McMahon coolly stroked the equaliser from the resultant free before McGaughan’s late brace of points finally ended Murphys brave resistance to leave the final score Robert Emmetts 0-15 Fr Murphys 2-7.

Scorers:

Robert Emmetts: Kevin McMullen 0-6 (0-2) f, Fergus McMahon 0-3f, John McGaughan 0-3 (0-1) f, Sean Quinn, Enda Fahey and Pat Heffernan 0-1f.

Fr Murphys: Conor Sexton

0-4 (-2) f, Eoin Ryan 1-1, Colin Hayes 1-0, Stephen Malone and Darren Howlin 0-1 each.

Teams:

Robert Emmetts: Mark Trainor, Eoin O’Connell, Sean McLoughlin, Billy Hennebury, Niall Healy, Fergus McMahon, Billy Earley, Enda Fahey, Tom Abbernetty, Eamon Troy, Seanie Quinn, David O’Connor, David Keady, Kevin McMullen, Mickey Grimes. Subs: Pat Heffernan for David Keady, John McGaughan for Eamon Troy, Eoin Kennedy for Mickey Grimes, Ben Jackman for Eoin O’Connell.

Fr Murphys: Enda Roche, Shane McKeegan, Simon Byrne, Ashley McKay, Pat ‘Sammy’ Lynch, Tom Simms, Sean Howlin, Darren Howlin, Stephen Malone, Mattie Hughes, Eoin Ryan, Eric Kinlon, Conor Sexton, Jimmy Howlin, Colin Hayes.

Referee: Sean Corridon.