McAnespies keep rolling along with a 2-11 to 2-6 win over Donegal.
As usual, McAnespies come out flying. Darren Farmer had McAnespies on the board after just two minutes and two minutes later Conor McKiever put Ross Handabury through for their second point. John Doherty and Michael McGinty sent two wides in the fifth and sixth minutes for Donegal.
McAnespies were on the attack again, Eugene McKenna was pulled down inside the box and Farmer sent the penalty to the back of the net. Two minutes later, J.J. Turner added another point to make it 1-3.
Two more fouls by Donegal resulted in a McKiever and a Farmer point apiece with no response from Donegal.
It took all of 24 minutes for Michael McGinty to register Donegal’s first point, followed with a point from John Doherty. McKiever added another for McAnespies and newcomer Michael Ward closed out the half for Donegal with a lovely point to make it 1-6 to 3 at the half.
Donegal got off to a great start in the second half. Michael Ward beat Kerryman Tom Harty and it was in the net within a minute of play.
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Ward was soon back again with a point from a free. Donegal was now applying the pressure but poor shooting resulted in their failure to convert possession into scores. Tom Harty pulled off a great save for McAnespies and Conor McKiever added three point for McAnespies to turn the game in their favor. J.J. Turner added a goal on the 24th minute.
But rather than give up at this stage, Donegal came right back with a goal and two points in the space of four minutes by Michael Ward.
One-point win
In the second semifinal, Connemara Gaels topped last year’s winners St. Columbkilles, 1-10 to 1-9, in a closely contested games that was level at the half, 1-3 to 0-6.
Best for the Killes were Anthony Walsh at centerfield, Jerry McMahon, Frankie Carolan, Donnacha Lee and Tim Lenihan. For the winners, Vinnie O’Malley, Mark Lukeman, Francis Coyne and Stephen King.
Cork pip Fr. Toms
Cork came from behind to pip Fr. Toms in extra time, 3-8 to 2-9, in the Fox Cup semifinal.
Fr. Toms took a 2-5 to 1-2 lead at the half, but an injury to their best player, Declan McGeeney, halfway through the second half changed the run of play in Cork’s favor.
Brendan Harrington and Darren Stanners brought Cork right back into the game with a goal and a point apiece and, at the end of the hour, the score stood at 3-5 to 2-8.
In extra time, Harrington and Stanners were on target along with Steve Ahearn. Jamesie Donoghue got Fr. Tom’s only point.
Ladies football
Tir na nOg were too strong for Roscommon, winning by a score of 2-7 to 1-1. Diane Toner played a blinder for the winners.