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Hickey goal sets Heston up for local final This year’s
Murphy Cup final will be a local west London clash between St. Josephs
and Heston Gaels who progressed after a thrilling semi-final against Thomas
McCurtains at Ruislip on Sunday.
A goal from full-forward and top-scorer Thomas Hickey five minutes from
time sealed a deserved two-point victory after a storming second-half
performance.
The winners had to settle for second best for much of the opening half
after which they were a point in arrears when the score was 0-6 to 1-2
in favour of the Dagenham-based club. McCurtains settled well after points
from Cathal Russell and Dermot Gallagher gave them an early advantage.
However an inspirational point from Padraig McMenamon followed by a goal
from Niall Gallagher had Heston back in control after 10 minutes.
With Steve Keegan and Karl Lynch taking control in midfield McCurtains
soon reasserted themselves and with points from Martin Geraghty, Jimmy
Shanahan and two frees from Steve Donoghue and Neil Franklin in reply
to a point from Conan O’Brien they deserved their narrow interval
lead.
Two early points from Thomas Hickey in reply to a point from Dermot Gallagher
brought the scores level just 12 minutes after the resumption.
When a spectacular full-length save by Martin Keyes denied substitute
Paul Blackford a great goal opportunity at the end of the third quarter
it looked like it was not going to be Heston’s day.
Heston were now clearly playing the better football and two points from
Paul Blackford and veteran Bernie McManamon had already edged them close
to victory before Hickey’s decisive strike with three minutes left.
A Billy Blackford point immediately afterwards seemed to be the icing
on the cake before McCurtains hit back with a late Owen McHugh goal but
Heston deservedly survived to earn a date with their Greenford neighbours
in the decider.
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