Inis Eoghain set up MacLarnon derby with Cathair Dhoire
February 02, 2019
Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup quarter-final
Scoileanna Inis Eoghain 3-11 St Patrick’s Keady 1-5
SCOILEANNA Inis Eoghain finished off this Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup quarter-final in Allen Park Antrim with 2-2 in the last seven minutes to put a more convincing look than they deserved on the score-board, but they nevertheless did enough to go through to a derby semi-final with Cathair Dhoire.
Both amalgamated teams had convincing quarter-final wins while the two teams that needed extra time to make the same stage, St Louis Ballymena and St Patrick’s Downpatrick, will meet in the other semi-final, which is effectively a qualifier for the All-Ireland semi-final as amalgamated teams are prohibited from progressing outside the province.
Inis Eoghain looked the stronger and more incisive team for most of the first half, but after 20 minutes were tied 0-4 each with St Patrick’s Keady mainly through the pace and poise of Joe Sheridan who posted three excellent points for the south Armagh side.
In the 21st minute Burt hurler Conor Carlan pointed for Inis Eoghain and they took off to establish a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead. Matthew Mulholland released Conor O’Donnell for a low finish to the right corner of the net in the 22nd minute, Josh Conlon quickly added a free and Ben Bradley took a super long-range point in the 28th minute.
There was a lot of wayward shooting for the opening ten minutes of the second half before Reece Butler eventually pointed a free for Keady. Inis Eoghain responded with a point from Mulholland and then a free from O’Donnell.
Inis Eoghain looked comfortable at 1-9 to 0-5, but then suffered a double whammy with Jonny Toye picking up a second yellow card in the 48th minute and from the resultant free out, Odhrán Doyle hit the base of the Inis Eoghain post and Shea McNaughton bundled the rebound over the line.
But Daniel McCallion then pulled off two good saves although in both cases the ball was struck straight to him. That was as close as Keady got however with sub Keegan Hegarty setting up Conor O’Donnell for his second goal in the 53rd minute.
The south Armagh side lost captain Conor Renaghan to a black card and then two defenders to reds leaving Inis Eoghain to finish them off with Hegarty again provider, this time for an injury-time goal for Josh Conlon.
Inis Eoghain: D McCallion, O Kelly, D Doherty, O Devlin, M Mulholland (0-1), E O’Doherty, E McCallion, C O’Donnell (2-5, 0-3 frees), G McDaid, R Hirrel (0-1), B Bradley (0-1), J Toye, J Conlon (1-1, 0-1 free), C Carlin (0-1), C McDaid (0-1).
Subs : L Doherty for C McDaid (32), K Hegarty for C Carlin (52), A McLaughlin for M Mulholland (57), J McLaughlin for B Bradley (60).
Keady : M Nugent, R Donnelly, T O’Hagan, Paddy Hughes, M Lennon, F Donnelly, M King, L Hughes, C Renaghan, S McNaughton (1-0), R Butler (0-2 frees), O McNally, J Sheridan (0-3), Pearse Hughes, D Harnett
Subs : O Doyle for O McNally (38), S Harvey for C Renaghan (bc, 49).
Referee : B Toland (Antrim).
