Killererin's Padraig Joyce and NUI Galway's David Duffy during the Tommy Varden Senior Football Championship semi-final replay at Tuam Stadium on Sunday. Photograph by Reg Gordon

Galway SFC semi-final replay - Killererin 0-12, N.U.I. Galway 1-7

Killererin set up a Galway SFC final date with Milltown when they edged out NUI Galway in an exciting semi-final replay at Tuam Stadium last Sunday.

Killererin, having forced replays in the quarter-finals and semi-finals with last gasp recoveries, once again displayed great survival instincts to dismiss a college side bidding to reach the final for the first time since 1973.

NUIG will rue eight second half wides but in truth, Killererin controlled the game after half-time having fought their way back in the opening half.

However, Killererin had to wait until Padraig Joyce pointed in injury time at the end of the game to be sure of victory as the students came fighting back late on.

Killererin took an early lead through a point from Nicky Joyce but the students took over the remainder of the opening quarter as they landed an unanswered 1-3 by the twelfth minute.

David Conway got the university's opening score with a goal after seven minutes and points followed from Mark Ronaldson, Dermot Costello and a Conway free.

Killererin responded in style and the students could muster just one more point for the remainder of the half as Killererin raced into a 0-9 to 1-4 half-time advantage.

Nicky Joyce landed three more points with Jonathon Keane, Shane Hughes, Padraig Joyce, Tom Fahy and goalkeeper Alan Keane, from a 45, also on target.

NUI Galway began the second half brightly with a free from David Conway after a high tackle by Tommie Joyce resulted in a yellow card.

With the deficit now reduced to just a single point, Killererin dug deep with a point from Jonathon Keane before the students responded through Jeff Farrell.

The bare minimum continued to separate the two teams but even so, Killererin were in control from here on in.

Ian Reddington extended Killererin's lead again before corner back Francis Boyle reduced the margin to a point once more.

But the students missed some good chances late on and veteran Galway star Joyce sealed the issue late on.

Killererin: A Keane (0-1, 45); T Joyce (0-1), M Mitchell, D Kelly; T Flynn, D Flaherty, I Reddington (0-1); T Hughes, M Keane; J Hughes, J Keane (0-2), N Joyce (0-4); S Hughes, P Joyce (0-2, one free), T Fahy (0-1).

N.U.I. Galway: L Grant; F Boyle (0-1), J Healy, P Healy; S Drake, G Bradshaw, D Costello (0-1); E Hoare, D Duffy; G O'Donnell, M Gottsche (0-1), J Farrell (0-1); M Ronaldson (0-1), F Breathnach, D Conway (1-2, two frees). Subs: S Feeney for Farrell, 54mins; G Rogan for O'Donnell, 58mins.

Referee: P Ferriter.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment