Quickfire Tynan and Kavanagh goals help Shan’ take control

Shandonagh 4-7, St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 0-10

Two goals in the space of three minutes near the end of the opening half gave Shandonagh the impetus as they overcame St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge to book their place in the semi-final of the Intermediate Football Championship at Kinnegad on Saturday evening.

The Kilpatrick side never really looked in danger after that in an unspectacular encounter and, having played against the wind in the first half, led St Mary’s by 3-1 to 0-8 at the interval. The latter could muster just two points against the elements in the second half, underlining their struggle against an unbeaten Shandonagh outfit as they suffered a fourth defeat.

With 26 minutes played, Shandonagh had just three scores on the board, yet they led a limited St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge side 2-1 to 0-6, and in truth there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome at that stage. Shandonagh had wind advantage for the second half and, while they failed to shoot the lights out, managing only a modest tally, they were comfortable winners as they secured a last-four spot with a round to spare.

Ray Sheridan’s charges are, quite rightly, strongly fancied to make an instant return to senior football, but it won’t be a coronation and they will have to be better than this to win the Peter Geraghty Cup later on. Their slick movement and creativity are impressive and the level of experience gained at senior and Division 1 are favourable factors.

St Mary’s were on top for most of the first quarter and had a two-point lead after 17 minutes. Oisin Carolan and Liam Carey – with a fine score – gave the Saints a two-point lead after five minutes before a wonderful Ryan Donnelly point got Shandonagh motoring. He played a neat one-two with Brian Kavanagh in the build-up.

An excellent two-pointer from Carolan pushed St Mary’s 0-4 to 0-1 clear, but in the tenth minute their defence creaked for the first time. A strong run by Conor McCrossan put St Mary’s on the back foot; Luke Tynan’s delivery found midfielder Aaron Craig, who finished to the net to level matters (1-1 to 0-4).

Shandonagh fell behind when Ian Keelan kicked a St Mary’s two-pointer, but they turned things around in the 26th minute with a terrific Luke Tynan goal. The Shandonagh wing-forward may well have been attempting to score a point, but his effort nestled in the top corner of the net after Tom Molloy, Caelum Faughnan and Kavanagh combined.

Three minutes later, Tynan floated a high ball into the danger area and Kavanagh got a flick ahead of the opposing ‘keeper, Ryan Judge, to score his side’s third major.

Wing-forward Cormac Gordon pounced for a fourth Shandonagh goal in the 45th minute following a slick move involving Molloy and Donnelly. It came after a costly turnover on St Mary’s part and that was the score that effectively sealed their fate.

Shandonagh, having won in facile fashion against Multyfarnham in the previous round, struggled to put scores on the board, and nine wides in the second half with the elements behind them provides food for thought. Two pointed frees from Ian Keelan were all St Mary’s had to show for their second-half efforts, but they were still in contention when the corner-forward slotted the first of those to make it 0-9 to 3-2 on 41 minutes.

Then it turned decisively. Danny Scahill (‘45’), Kavanagh (after Faughnan, McCrossan and Gareth Carr combined) and Donnelly with a superb two-pointer helped Shandonagh establish a commanding lead, 4-6 to 0-10, by the 54th minute. Substitute Mickey Boyle added the coup de grâce with his 56th-minute point.

While victory put Shandonagh through, defeat means St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge are demoted to Section ‘B’ of the championship next year.

Scorers – Shandonagh: B Kavanagh 1-1, A Craig, L Tynan and C Gordon 1-0 each, R Donnelly 0-3 (1tp), D Conway, D Scahill (‘45’) and M Boyle 0-1 each.

St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: I Keelan 0-6 (1tp, 4f), O Carolan 0-3 (1tp), L Carey 0-1.

Shandonagh: Cian Molloy; Cathal Craig, Maitiú Scully, Brendan Killian; Gareth Carr, Danny Scahill, Daire Conway; Aaron Craig, Caelum Faughnan; Cormac Gordon, Conor McCrossan, Luke Tynan; Ryan Donnelly, Brian Kavanagh, Tom Molloy. Subs: Adam Treanor for Conway (42), Adam Cronin for A Craig (45), Mickey Boyle for Gordon (46), Darren Bitu for C Craig (50), Jake Costello for Tynan (56).

St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: Ryan Judge; Tiernan Fallon, Peter Lalor, Eddie Whelehan; Enda Cully, Aidan Robinson, Jerry Byrne; Darren Kilcoyne, Seán Lyster; Tiernan Jessop, Sam Plant, Darragh Hall; Ian Keelan, Oisin Carolan, Liam Carey. Subs: Shane Cully for Kilcoyne (45), Seán Carroll for Carey (50), Eoin Gorman for Plant (51), Liam Clarke for Jessop (55).

Ref: Pat Fox (Rosemount).