Better late than never for relieved Dalton's

Fr Dalton's 2-11Clonkill 2-9Clonkill's remarkable adventure in second tier hurling this year came to an end on Saturday evening, but only just, as Fr Dalton's left it late to book their place in the final of the intermediate hurling championship.With the Ballymore-based side on the ropes with ten minutes to go, at one stage whispers of a potential senior and intermediate double for Clonkill echoed around Cusack Park.But Fr Dalton's stepped up to the plate, albeit not without keeping their loyal supporters on the edge of their seats.They trailed 2-5 to 0-5 at the break thanks to a brace of goals from Larry Donoghue, but a terrific second half goal from substitute Derek Cuffe inspired a change in tack for Dalton's, and they had the best of the closing exchanges.With Colum Mackey a reliable customer from frees, and Robbie English a commanding presence at the back, they look well equipped to exorcise the ghosts of last year's intermediate decider.But underdog status helped Clonkill in the opening seconds, and they raced into a 1-2 to nil lead, with Larry Donoghue striking from close range for the opening goal.Two Donoghue frees, with points from Conradh Reilly and Paul Farrell, were answered by a hat-trick of frees from Dalton's talisman Colum Mackey.In between, Fergus Shaw gave Fr Dalton's a brief lift when he manoeuvred his way behind the Clonkill defence, only to have his shot saved.But on 20 minutes, Donoghue struck again, tapping home from close range after a high ball from Farrell to hand Clonkill a shock seven point lead.A minute later, Dalton's notched up their first point from play thanks to Kieran Martin, and another Mackey free took the sting off developments.But Conor Thompson had the last say of the half, ensuring Clonkill's two goal advantage with a peach from the left hand side.Dalton's started the second moiety in better shape, Mackey once again showing his prowess with a dead ball, knocking over a free from near the halfway line.Fergus Shaw raised another flag on 35, but the Ballymore side's early gains were cancelled out by a trio of Larry Donoghue frees, with Dalton's wing back Michael Maloney picking up a yellow card in the process.A fine point from Brian Finerty and another Colum Mackey puck kept Dalton's in contention (2-8 to 0-9), and the favourites' hard work finally paid off with fifty minutes gone.And it paid off in style: substitute Derek Cuffe rose above two other heads to flick a teasing ball from Colum Mackey past Clonkill 'keeper, Brian Murtagh.More joy followed for Fr Dalton's: a superb minor from Enda Kincaid, and a good run of possession culminated in a second goal from the Southerners on 57.It was as scrappy as their first was deft, but when Kieran Martin's hurl applied the final touch amidst a forest of legs, the Dalton's faithful cared about nothing but the 2-10 to 2-8 scoreline.With Fr Dalton's in front for the first time with just moments remaining, the game was theirs to lose, and a collective gasp sounded when referee, Robbie Cornally signalled seven minutes of injury time.Clonkill weren't finished, and Conradh Reilly found his range on 58 to leave us with a cliffhanger. Two minutes later, up stepped Larry Donoghue for what seemed like a straightforward equaliser.But the Southerners' tormenter-in-chief - who hadn't put a foot wrong from frees all afternoon - struck his final free wide, with a strong sun in his eyes.Fr Dalton's held on, and a fine stoppage time point from Christy Maloney rubberstamped their place in the final.Scorers: Fr Dalton's - C Mackey 0-6 (frees), K Martin 1-1, D Cuffe 1-0, F Shaw, B Finerty, E Kincaid and C Maloney 0-1 each. Clonkill - L Donoghue 2-5 (0-5 frees), C Reilly 0-2, P Farrell and C Thompson 0-1 each.Fr Dalton's: Brian McCabe; Christy Maloney, Robert English, Donal Glynn; Andrew Fox, John Gilligan, Michael Maloney; Trevor English, Brian Finerty; Colum Mackey, Kieran Martin, Sam Whooley; Enda Kincaid, Fergus Shaw, Andrew Slevin. Subs used: Derek Cuffe for Slevin (h/time), Pat Conway for Cuffe (60).Clonkill: Brian Murtagh; David O'Reilly, Martin Scally, James Fitzsimons; Mark Keegan, Stephen Cleary, Christopher Austin; Thomas Egan, Conor Thompson; Conradh Reilly, Paul Farrell, Jack McGrath; Niall Folan, Larry Donoghue, Finbarr Thompson. Subs used: Martin Egerton for Folan (43), Colm Coffey for Scally (inj., 43), Liam Farrell for Austin (56).Referee: Robbie Cornally (St Oliver Plunketts).FOOTNOTE: Prior to Saturday's games at Cusack Park, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the late Ned Moran, a life president of Ballymore GAA Club who went to his eternal reward last week.