GAA Roundup: Fitzgerald shines for South Kerry

If Cooper compiled an impressive 1-2 for Crokes, Fitzgerald turned back the clock with a majestic performance that had the winners’ manager James O’Sullivan in raptures. “Maurice gave a display out there that I don’t think he could have given 10 years ago. For him to put in that kind of performance was incredible because he was very doubtful due to a pulled hamstring.
“Maurice suffered out there, he went through the pain barrier for his teammates. The skill level he displayed was something you’ll probably never see in a county final again.”
Ahead by 0-5 to 0-4 at interval, South Kerry were then inspired by two glorious Fitzgerald points from close to the sideline early in the second half, and although Cooper closed the gap with a goal, South Kerry pulled away in style with three points in quick succession.
Meanwhile in the Waterford decider, there was nothing to separate Stradbally and the Nire as they drew 0-6 apiece at Dungarvan. This was third time in four finals in this decade that the teams had drawn, and the latest stalemate was mostly down to some poor finishing by both clubs. Martin Walsh rescued Nire with a superb score with just a minute of normal time remaining.

LEINSTER TAKE ULSTER
Dessie Dolan emerged as the star of the show as Leinster took the interprovincial final with a 0-20 to 0-18 extra-time win over Ulster at Parnell Park. Ulster were four points down at the break, but with Christy Toye in good form, they closed the gap to make 0-15 apiece at full-time.
However, it was Dolan who then took charge with four points in the added time to bring his total to 0-11 including seven frees. “Dessie was brilliant,” said Leinster’s captain Collie Moran. “Even at times when we were struggling he just kept putting them over the bar. I think he was the real star of the show.”

CROKES DOMINATE
The four Leinster club quarter-finals were decided last weekend, and if Kilmacud Crokes from Dublin were favorites to get the better St Peter’s of Meath, no one would have predicted such an emphatic 1-14 to 0-3 scoreline at Navan.
St. Peter’s were a huge disappointment, but they weren’t given much latitude by Ray Cosgrove who helped himself to 1-10 including five frees in a virtuoso display. A former All Star, and the forgotten man of Dublin football who never once figured in last summer’s championship, Cosgrove issued a timely reminder to his county manager Paul Caffrey.
The contest was effectively over at the break as Kilmacud were clear by 1-6 to 0-1, and from then the winners were able to ponder their upcoming semi-final clash with Rhode of Offaly.
Certainly Rhode will have to improve on their performance in beating Laois’s Stradbally by 1-6 to 0-6 in Tullamore if they are to trouble Kilmacud. With little between the teams, it was Niall McNamee’s cleverly taken goal in the first half that made the difference.
Sarsfields of Kildare turned on the style during the second half to sweep aside the challenge of Carlow’s Eire Og by 1-12 to 0-8 at Dr Cullen Park. Level at the changeover, Eire Og appeared to be well in contention, however, they only managed a single point from then on as the winners added a further eight for a comfortable win.
Sarsfields’ opponents in the semi-final will be Mattock Rangers of Louth who edged out the Wexford champions Horeswood by 1-9 to 1-8 in Drogheda. A David Reid free nine minutes from the end proved to be the winning score, however, both Leigh O’Brien and David Shannon missed kickable frees in the closing stages.

BRIGID’S IN 1ST FINAL
St. Brigid’s of Roscommon are celebrating a first ever appearance in a Connacht decider after last weekend’s semi-final replay win by 1-11 to 1-7 over Leitrim’s Kiltubrid. County players Frankie Dolan and Karol Mannion delivered for St Brigid’s with a total of 1-9 between them.
In Ulster, Cavan Gaels advanced to the last four with a narrow 0-12 to 1-7 victory over Latton of Monaghan at Brewster Park. Trailing by six points early in the second half, Latton battled back bravely only for Cavan Gaels to hold out.

LOUGHREA LOSE OUT
The main hurling honors for last weekend went to Portumna who deprived Loughrea of a first ever Galway senior title with a thrilling 3-21 to 3-14 victory at Pearse Stadium.
Despite leading by a point at the changeover, Loughrea struggled to contain the impressive scoring prowess of Joe Canning and Damien Hayes who shot 3-17 of the winners’ total between them. Canning, who will be bidding for a third minor All Ireland title with the county next year, hit 1-11, including eight frees, while Hayes contributed a brilliant 2-6 from play.
There was something of surprise in the Leinster club championship as University College Dublin defeated Birr of Offaly by 1-12 to 1-7 in the quarter-finals at Parnell Park.
UCD got off to a blistering start and led by six points to no score after 20 minutes, but Birr responded with a Michael Dwayne goal and had edged in front by a point at the interval. UCD surged once again and when Tommy Fitzgerald latched on to the excellent Pa Morrissey’s delivery for a critical goal, the students were well on their way to a semi-final meeting with Oulart-the-Ballagh of Wexford.
The defending Leinster and All Ireland champions, James Stephens of Kilkenny, were given a fright by unfancied Naomh Eoin of Carlow before they booked a place in the last four with a 1-16 to 1-13 win at Dr Cullen Park.
The shock result of the hurling year appeared to be on the cards when Naomh Eoin edged ahead with just five minutes remaining, but James Stephens kept their composure and points by Paddy O’Brien, Brian McEvoy and two from sub Shane Egan saved their blushes.