St Michaels Prevail On Penalties After Thrilling St Josephs Battle

LMFM Minor ‘A’ Championship Semi-Final

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

St Michaels 0-17 St Josephs 2-11

After Extra Time – St Michaels won 3-1 on penalties

St Michaels advanced to the LMFM Minor ‘A’ Championship Final after prevailing on penalties following a titanic battle with St Josephs at the Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver on Tuesday evening.

It was a dramatic contest that could hardly be separated after 80 minutes, with both sides having opportunities to seize control before St Michaels eventually held their nerve in the shootout.

The opening stages were relatively cagey, with St Michaels establishing a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage after 20 minutes. Oisin Murray and Shay Doyle found the target, while Ciaran Titley produced an excellent two-pointer, with Oisin Reidy replying with two scores for St Josephs.

The Dromiskin side finished the half strongly, however, and Donnacha Reidy produced a superb individual effort to burst through and find the net. Rian McDonnell then added a late point to leave Joes ahead at the interval.

Half-time: St Michaels 0-4 St Josephs 1-3.

Finn McEneaney of St Josephs in action against Eoghan McEneaney of St Michaels © WLPhoto

St Michaels regained the initiative early in the second half, with Murray, Doyle, Patrick Reynolds and Arthur Sands all getting on the scoresheet. Finn McEneaney registered St Josephs’ only score during that period as Michaels moved 0-8 to 1-4 ahead with 20 minutes remaining.

Doyle added another before Pauric Maguire landed a superb long-range effort, stretching the Michaels advantage to three points with 15 minutes remaining.

Once again, though, St Josephs found a response through Reidy. The Joes midfielder embarked on another powerful run before keeping his composure to finish to the net and bring his side right back into contention.

Aaron Gray looked to have won it for St Josephs when he converted a late two-point free from the deck, but St Michaels refused to panic. They worked the ball up the field and created a free for Charlie McBride who sent the game to extra-time.

Full-time after normal time: St Michaels 0-13 St Josephs 2-7.

The intensity remained high during extra-time, with Finn McEneaney, Donnacha Reidy and Aaron Gray adding scores for St Josephs, while Patrick Reynolds, Tadhg Gorman and Shay Doyle responded for Michaels during an entertaining opening period.

Pauric Maguire of St Michaels in action on Tuesday evening © WLPhoto

Half-time of extra-time: St Michaels 0-16 St Josephs 2-10.

The second period of extra-time was a much tighter affair, with neither side willing to give an inch. Eoghan McEneaney nudged St Michaels back in front before Rian McDonnell created space and converted a fine score to bring the sides level once again.

Full-time after extra-time: St Michaels 0-17 St Josephs 2-11.

And so, after an enthralling semi-final that could not be separated after extra-time, the destination of the final place was decided by penalties.

St Michaels goalkeeper Dylan Smith emerged as the hero, producing a remarkable display between the posts as he saved three St Josephs penalties. His heroics proved decisive as Michaels prevailed 3-1 in the shootout to book their place in the LMFM Minor ‘A’ Championship Final.

Penalty shootout: St Michaels 3-1 St Josephs.

St Michaels team: Dylan Smith; Adam Finegan, Ciaran Titley (0-2, 1tp), Sean Culligan; Shay Woods, Darragh Murray, Josh Horwell; Eoghan McEneaney (0-2), Pauric Maguire (0-1); Patrick Reynolds (0-3), Arthur Sands (0-1), Tadhg Gorman (0-1); Shay Doyle (0-4), Charlie McBride (0-1, 1f), Oisin Murray (0-2).

Rest of panel: Eric Hamill, Rian McKeever, Niall McNiece, Max Halpenny, Fionn McCartney, Nathan Dunne, Sean Corrigan, Cillian Dunne, Conor Gormley, Shay Brisco, Daithi Kearney, Donnacha Lyons, Paddy Watters.

Management: Donal Murray, Gerry Maguire, Paul Egan, Stephen Bingham.

St Josephs team: Lee Smyth; Ross Keenan, Matthew Kieran, Tiernan Brodigan; Lorcan Geraghty, Finn McEneaney (0-2), Ryan Kelly; Oisin Reidy (0-2), Donnacha Reidy (2-2); Liam McKeown, Aaron Gray (0-3, 1tpf), Aodhain Grimes Murphy; Pauric McKeever, Rian McDonnell (0-2), Cillian McDonnell.

Rest of panel: Dominic Hearty, Cathal Dowdall, Killian McKeown, Ben McShane, Cian McQuillan, Ryan Martin, Tony Gorham, Ryan Smith.

Management: Ollie McDonnell, Brendan Reidy, Cormac McKeown.

Referee – DJ McArdle (St Brides)

Photo credit WLPhoto.

An aerial dual in Darver on Tuesday evening © WLPhoto