Fitzgerald’s goal proves key as Clashmore squeeze past Sion
Clashmore/Kinsalebeg's Sam Fitzgerald jumps for joy at the final whistle as his side are one game away from playing senior football next season after extra time win over Mount Sion in the Cappoquin Logistics Premier Intermediate Football semi-final at Lemybrien on Saturday last. Photos: Eddie Dee
Clashmore Kinsalebeg are a step closer to an immediate return to the Waterford Senior Football Championship, as they saw off Mount Sion after extra time in this fiercely contested semi-final clash in Lemybrien.
A 68th-minute goal from Josh Fitzgerald was pivotal for Clashmore as they bid to win both premier intermediate crowns in Waterford this year, while Sion will feel they left a huge opportunity behind, ruing missed opportunities in normal time to put the game to bed.
A Shane Coughlan effort opened the scoring, but Sion roared back with strikes from Adam Regan, Martin F O’Neill and the impressive PJ Fanning to assume control. Tadhg De Burca split the posts but O’Neill responded again on 22 minutes, before an unanswered treble from Aidan Trihy, Brian O’Halloran and the lively Darragh Ryan again saw Clashmore assume slight control.
A free from O’Neill made it 0-5 apiece at the interval, and it was finely poised - just as was the case when the sides met in the group phase earlier in the campaign. Edmond O’Halloran resumed the scoring after the break before a free from Brian Lynch pushed the gap back to two, but Sion kicked into gear in style - thanks to the boot of Austin Gleeson.
In the 38th and 39th minute in quick succession, two outrageous efforts from distance both sailed between the posts and Gleeson duly yielded 0-4 via two orange flags, the scoreboard suddenly turning back 0-9 to 0-7 in his side’s favour.
De Burca and Lynch hauled their side back to parity, but an upset was well on the cards when the Monastery men struck for the opening goal on 44 minutes - and it was well-taken by Adam Regan. A two-point free from Darragh Ryan brought it back to a one-point affair before Brian O’Halloran levelled for the fifth occasion on 52 minutes and that was the last score of normal time.
That doesn’t tell its own story though, as superb defending from Cian Ryan on more than one occasion, and profligacy in front of goal from Sion were the chief reasons why an extra 20 minutes were required.
It was in the extra period where Clashmore’s composure and experience proved pivotal. Sion captain Mikey Daykin nudged his side ahead early on, but an excellently driven two-point free from Ryan gave Clashmore impetus, and that was seized upon by Josh Fitzgerald as his 68th-minute goal proved the ultimate sucker punch to Sion, from which they never recovered.
Leading 1-14 to 1-10 at the break in the extra period, Clashmore looked at their most comfortable - an O’Neill free only momentarily denting their advantage before Paul O’Connor and another from Brian O’Halloran ensured the red and green’s passage to the county final - a late two-point free from Tommy McGrath proving in vein for Sion.
It’ll be a chance for Clashmore to win premier intermediate crowns in both grades in what has been a most tremendous season for the club. Once again, they’ll face Western rivals Brickey Rangers in their bid to do so.
Darragh Ryan (0-5; 0-5f; 2 tpf); Josh Fitzgerald (1-0); Brian O’Halloran (0-3; 0-2f); Brian Lynch (0-2; 0-1f); Tadhg De Burca (0-2); Shane Coughlan, Aidan Trihy, Ed O’Halloran and Paul O’Connor (0-1 each)
Adam Regan (1-1); Austin Gleeson (0-4; 2 tp); Martin F O’Neill (0-4; 0-2f); Tommy McGrath (0-2; 1 tpf); PJ Fanning and Mikey Daykin (0-1 each)
: Edmond Donovan; Adam O’Sullivan, Ciaran Bourke, Aidan Trihy; Tadhg De Burca, Cian Ryan, Kieran Connery; Edmond O’Halloran, Brian Lynch; Sam Fitzgerald, Darragh Ryan, Josh Fitzgerald; Shane Coughlan, Brian O’Halloran, Paul O’Connor.
Ian Galgey; Donal Power, Tommy McGrath, Mikey Daykin; Jamie Meaney, PJ Fanning, Bradley Penkert; Jamie Gleeson, Tadhg Corcoran; Austin Gleeson, Adam Regan, Martin O’Neill; Aaron Coughlan, Ian O’Regan, Martin F O’Neill.
Gavin Whelan (Colligan)
