Longford MFC: Crucial goals clinch final spot for Granard
Midland Trophies Minor ‘A’ Football Championship Harte Cup Semi-Final
Three goals proved crucial for St Mary’s Granard as they withstood a determined St Francis Dromard challenge to book their place in the Minor ‘A’ Football Championship final with a thrilling two-point victory at Higginstown on Saturday last.
There was little to separate two evenly matched sides throughout, but Granard’s ability to find the net ultimately compensated for some wayward shooting, particularly when playing with the advantage of a strong first half breeze. It was the clash of the juvenile champions of two years ago against the recent Division 1 league winners.
Granard were forced to line out without the injured Dorean Doren and will be hoping he can play in the final while Dromard were without county under 15 starlet Tiarnan O’Reilly ( although he was introduced late in the game) which was a relief to a pressurised Granard defence.
The U-16 champions in 2024, Granard were handed the perfect start after just two minutes when St Francis failed to deal with a dropping ball and Pa Kelly reacted quickest, soccering to the net.
Oren McNerney, a constant threat throughout the game, opened the St Francis account before Cormac Mulligan and a McNerney free brought them level as Granard struggled to capitalise on the wind.
The McNerney free was won by attacking corner-back Andy Duffy who inspired his Dromard teammates throughout the highly entertaining semi-final.
Conor O’Hara, Emmett Farrell and the composed Niall O’Donnell eventually got Granard moving, but St Francis responded impressively. McNerney, Joe Kiernan, Ryan McCabe and Pádraig Mulligan all found the target during their best spell of the first half to edge the league champions in front.
Granard, however, possessed a major goal threat in Brendan Martin Burns. When he was fouled for a penalty, the dangerous forward made no mistake from the spot, firing beyond Dromard keeper Tommy Duffy.
Two further McNerney frees ensured nothing separated the teams at the break, Granard 2-3 St Francis 0-9.
The arm wrestle continued on the changeover. Brendan Martin Burns and the returning Daniel Corr carried a threat for Granard, while the Mulligan twins, McNerney and Donnacha Reynolds continued to trouble the home defence. Reynolds also landed an excellent two-pointer.
The decisive moment arrived midway through the second half when Aaron Cronogue flicked a high delivery to the net for Granard’s third goal, establishing a lead they would never surrender.
At the other end, Robbie Drake was involved in a terrific individual battle with Pádraig Mulligan and produced a strong display at the heart of a Granard defence that came under increasing pressure.
With St Francis pushing hard, Niall O’Donnell provided two massive scores. The centre-half-back drove forward to land a pair of left-footed points late on, stretching Granard’s advantage to three.
There was still one final twist as Padraic Mulligan escaped four challenges and went in search of the score that could force extra-time, but his effort sailed over rather than under the crossbar.
It left Granard celebrating a great 2 point victory and a place in the Midland Trophies Minor Championship final against the title holders Clonguish on Saturday October 3.
Granard: Aaron Walsh; Derek Creegan, Robbie Drake, Jake Durkan; Senan Neilan, Niall O’Donnell (0-3), Liam O’Hara; James Macken, Emmet Farrell (0-1); Brendan Martin Burns (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2f), Shane O’Hara, Daniel Corr (0-1); Conor O’Hara (0-1), Pa Kelly (1-0), Aaron Cronogue (1-0).
St. Francis: Tommy Duffy; Sean McAvenia, Eoin Conboy, Andy Duffy; Darragh Grimes, Conor McAvenia, Charlie Reilly; Neal O’Reilly, Cormac Mulligan (0-3); Ryan McCabe (0-1), Donnacha Reynolds (0-3, 1 two-pointer), Oren McNerney (0-7, 0-4f, 0-1 ‘45); Chistopher Corrigan, Padraic Mulligan (0-2), Joe Kiernan (0-1).
Subs:- Funmi Ojo for S McAvenia (36 mins); Tiernan O’Reilly for C Corrigan (53 mins).
Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).