St Kieran's, Kilkenny 4-22 St Brigid's, Galway 2-22
(after extra-time)
St Kieran's, the record Croke Cup victors with 18 All-Ireland titles, gave themselves a chance of glory this year when coming from behind to defeat St Brigid's at Birr on Saturday.
They came from seven points down after just 21 minutes to force extra-time in the final play of the game. And they then hit the Galway side with a couple of goals in extra-time to advance to the semi-finals.
Brigid’s looked poised for victory when Johnny Conroy finished to the net to put them 1-8 to 0-4 ahead after 21 minutes.
Galway minors Brian Molloy, who finished with 0-14, and Eanna Burke led their challenge. But St Kieran’s responded and with a Tadhg O’Dwyer goal to reduce the deficit to 1-9 to 1-5 at the interval.
The introduction of Conor Murphy and Conor O’Carroll made a big difference for St Kieran’s and O’Carroll’s late goal and a Murphy point in stoppage time helped secure extra-time on a 1-17 to 2-14 scoreline.
David Mangan was sent off for St Brigid's at the start of extra-time and St Kieran's pulled away with goals from captain James Maher and a second from O'Carroll to seal the win and All-Ireland semi-final spot.
ST KIERAN'S, KILKENNY:
J Barcoe; J Keoghan, J Cleere, T Walsh; M Cody, D Mullen, E Walsh; K Blanchfield (0-2), J Byrne; L Blanchfield (0-3), J Maher (1-4), N Walsh; R Donnelly, B Cody (0-3), T O'Dwyer (1-1).
Subs:
J Haines for M Cody (24 mins), C Murphy (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65) for Byrne (30 mins), C O'Carroll (2-1) for Donnelly (30 mins), B Ryan (0-1) for O'Dwyer (56 mins), R Leahy (0-1) for Haines (71 mins).
ST BRIGID'S:
Loughrea: D Gilligan; C Gibbons, J Mooney, G McHugo; C Jennings, D Cronin, F Burke; S Roche, D Nevin; D Mangan, E Burke (1-4, one free), J Conroy (1-0); J Mannion (0-3), B Molloy (0-14, 0-8 frees), T Molloy.
Subs:
M Lynch for Conroy (57 mins), L Kelly (0-1) for Roche (68 mins).
Referee:
C McAllister (Cork).
