McDermotts into final
SEAN McDERMOTTS 0-11
ERIN GO BRAGH 1-6
M Lambe Construction SFC Semi-Final Replay
Sean McDermotts progressed to the Championship final after a two-point
victory over Erin go Bragh at Pairc na hEireann on Sunday.
However the match will be remembered as much for incidents off the ball
as for action on it as two players from both sides were red-carded.
It was always going to be a closely fought contest after the original
semi-final ended in a draw. The early going reflected this as Erin go
Bragh started brightly only for McDermotts half-back Dominic Walsh’s
solo run resulted in a well-taken point.
Erin go Bragh applied the pressure through high balls and were rewarded
with a penalty for a tussle in the box. Up stepped full-forward Paul Mc
Clory to fire the ball past Conor Keaney into the bottom right corner.
McDermotts retaliated through some industrious play of their own. Trevor
Neville picked his spot from close range to reduce the margin to two points
as McDermotts began to find their feet.
Then the fireworks began as a tussle in the box saw both Dominic Walsh
and Paul Bradley singled out by a vigilant umpire. Both were given their
marching orders as both sides lost their talismanic centre half-backs.
McDermotts then levelled the contest though frees from Michael Hayden
and Eamonn Hanlon.
McDermotts were able to utilise the open space vacated by the dismissed
duo in the opening phases of the second half and found scores from Hayden
and Scanlon. It was Scanlon who provided McDermotts with the outlet up
front and he added to his tally with another curled point from close range;
he then went agonisingly close to wrapping up victory as a neat pass from
Des Kelly brought Scanlon racing in on goal, only to crash his shot off
the bar and over.
Erin go Bragh were unable to etch out significant reward from their late
endeavours, as further key scores from Hanlon and midfielder Joseph Dowling
left the Erdington team two points adrift, which is how is stayed until
the final whistle.
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