Leinster SF Semi-final/ Moorefield 0-8 Tyrellspass 0-7: Kildare champions Moorefield advanced to the final of the Leinster championship when they overcame 14-man Tyrrellspass by the narrowest of margins in the semi-final at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.
Trailing by two points at the interval, 0-6 to 0-4, Moorefield took control in the third quarter, and while the winning point did not arrive until the 56th minute, they always looked likely to take the spoils, particularly after David Glennon received a straight red card, 10 minutes from the end.
With the breeze giving them a decided advantage in the opening period, Tyrrellspass impressed early on, Martin Flanagan, Denis Glennon and Keith Scally posing problems for the Moorefield defence.
Denis Glennon set up roving wing back, Philip Sheridan for the opening point after eight minutes and added a second a minute later before Martin Flanagan put three between the sides.
Moorefield's Alan Melia, who was a late call-up for Kevin O'Neill, got his side off the mark in the 12th minute with a fine point.
David Glennon jinked his way through to extend the margin back to three points, and 10 minutes from the interval he added another. Moorefield upped a gear and three unanswered points, from Philip Wolfe and Patrick Murray (two), reduced Tyrrellspass's lead to the minimum.
In injury time Kevin Connell lofted over a point to lift Tyrrellspass supporters, but Moorefield looked to be in the driving seat. Five minutes into the second period, Ronan Sweeney pointed from a placed ball, and while Kevin Connell put two between the sides in the 46th minute from a free, Moorefield didn't panic. Tyrellspass goalkeeper Paul McGivney did well to deny Ross Glavin before Frank Hanniffy fisted over a point.
Once David Glennon was sent off, Tyrrellspass were in trouble, and Patrick Murray brought the sides level in the 54th minute.
Three minutes later, substitute Robbie Delaney popped up to slot Moorefield's decisive score.
MOOREFIELD: T Corely; P O'Flynn, G Naughton, I Lonergan; K Duane, Alan Melia (0-1), J Lonergan; R Glavin, D Flynn; M Tracey, P Murray (0-3), F Hanniffy (0-2); N Hurley-Lynch, R Sweeney (0-1), P Wolfe (0-1). Subs: Robbie Delaney (0-1)for Tracey, J Philips for Hurley-Lynch, J Eustace for Naughton, D Whyte for Wolfe.
TYRRELLSPASS: P McGivney; A Rigney, B Murphy, TJ Gonoud; S Arthur, T O'Brien, P Sheridan (0-1); T Newman, G Hoey; K Connell (0-2), K Scally, J Corcoran; Denis Glennon (0-1), M Flanagan (0-1), David Glennon (0-2). Subs: R Sheeran for Corcoran, C Daly for Connell, J Carroll for Scally.
Referee: Derek Fahy(Longford).
