St Mary's see off Gaels for second week in a row to book Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final spot

League champions St Mary’s Kiltoghert recorded their second win in the space of a eight days over fierce rivals Leitrim Gaels to book their place in the Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Finals in Ballinamore’s Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin last Saturday.

Winners by three points in the final group game, St Mary’s were more convincing winners in the stifling heat of Ballinamore, a burst of 1-5 midway through the first half doing all the damage as they held a battling if somewhat limited Leitrim Gaels at arms’ length throughout the contest.

St Mary’s command of possession, the pace of the game on a brutally hot day and their assurance meant that a Gaels team, who once again retreated deep into their own half for most of the opening 45 minutes, just couldn’t generate the scoring opportunities they needed to cause a shock.

The Carrick men will feel they should have been much more comfortable, butchering a couple of good goal chances in the closing stages as the Gaels tried to haul themselves back into the contest but there was never truly a feeling that last year’s finalists were going to lose this one.

Their immense physicality and command of possession meant that Leitrim Gaels were living off scraps - they did everything they could with those scraps, the surging runs of Jack and Aidan Flynn causing problems but St Mary’s tigerish defence and ability to turn over the ball meant the Gaels were always chasing this game.

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The Gaels feel they might have had a penalty when James McGrail gathered the ball after Jack Flynn’s shot was brilliantly saved by Killian Gaffey, a penalty that might have left two between the teams but on the overall balance of play, St Mary’s were comfortably the better team.

Brian Keaney opened the scoring after just 12 seconds, fisting over after his brother Paul’s long ball was fisted down to him. Both teams missed chances before a patient move ended with Oisin Bohan firing over six minutes in, Diarmuid Kelleher blocked Conor Guckian’s shot a minute later.

With chances at a premium, the Gaels got a gift when a shot was going wide but James McGrail was penalised for a push on Conor Guckian, dissent moving the ball in for a Stephen Goldrick tap over on 12 minutes but that was as close as Leitrim Gaels would get in this game.

Ben Guckian cut inside to fire over from distance and Conor Hackett fisted over after a Guckian pass in the next three minutes. Diarmuid Kelleher finished a strong run with a fine point and after Brian Keaney did some great work along the endline, he got the ball to Cian Singleton and the centre-back blasted to the net from close range on 18 minutes.

Mary’s strength in defence saw them turn over the ball, Kyle McCrann, Paul & Brian Keaney involved in breaking and set up Oisin Bohan for his second. Leitrim Gaels got their first score in 12 minutes when Frankie Cullen profited from Jack Flynn’s powerful run, scoring from distance and then Eunan Treacy followed up with a long range effort.

The half ended with Paul Keaney and Aidan Flynn trading fine long range efforts as an efficient St Mary’s led 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.

A few changes and two quick Stephen Goldrick frees in the first seven minute raised the Gaels fans’ spirit but St Mary’s seemed intent on ending this game early, Ben Guckian curling a lovely effort from the left corner over while Oisin Bohan scored an impressive effort.

Sub Paddy Keane scored a nice effort from distance but the game looked over when sub Cillian Hanratty did well to keep Guckian’s effort in play, he fed the ball across to Adam Reynolds who dived in to force the ball to the Gaels net, St Mary’s now leading by eight points.

But barely had the cheers died down and Leitrim Gaels had the ball in the net - Conor Guckian claimed the kickout and with St Mary’s defence caught out the field, a quick ball left David Regan in splendid isolation and he did not miss.

The Gaels were charging down and when Jack Flynn cut through the defence, St Mary’s keeper Killian Gaffey made a great save with James McGrail clearing the danger. Leitrim Gaels felt the veteran Mary’s player had lifted the ball off the ground, I felt it bounced but the danger was cleared.

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Diarmuid Kelleher saw a shot blocked, Oisin Bohan shot badly wide while sub Jack Barnes was off target but a Paul Keaney free left six between the teams with just over five minutes remaining. Sub Oisin Curley converted a free in response but the Gaels were thankful that St Mary’s were that not bit more clinical.

First St Mary’s cut the Gaels defence to ribbons and played the ball across to Conor Hackett but Gaels keeper Brian Cull made a great save from his palmed effort. Seconds later, the Keaney brothers combined to work their way through, keeping the ball alive but sub Cillian Hanratty crashed his shot off the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

St Mary’s Monaghan addition did add a point, Curley responding in added time. With St Mary’s packing their defence, all that remained was a point from Brian Keaney and Conor Guckian as St Mary’s advanced to the semi-finals once more.

ST MARY’S KILTOGHERT

Scorers: Oisin Bohan 0-3; Adam Reynolds & Cian Singleton 1-0 each; Paul Keaney (f), Brian Keaney & Ben Guckian 0-2 each; Diarmuid Kelleher, Conor Hackett & Cillian Hanratty 0-1 each

Team: Killian Gaffney, Mark Lenehan, Mark Diffley, Nicholas McWeeney, Adam Reynolds, Cian Singleton, Kyle McCrann, Paul Keaney, James McGrail, Diarmuid Kelleher, Conor Hackett,  Conor Farrell, Brian Keaney, Oisin Bohan, Ben Guckian. Subs: Cillian Hanratty for Singleton (HT); Jack Barnes & Gavin Reynolds for Bohan & McCrann (51)

LEITRIM GAELS

Scorers: Stephen Goldrick 0-3, 3f; David Regan 1-0; Oisin Curley 0-2, 1f: Conor Guckian, Aidan Flynn, Frankie Cullen, Paddy Keane & Eunan Treacy 0-1 each

Team: Brian Cull, Ryan Goldrick, Stephen McDermott, Ben Finn, Frankie Cullen, Michael Connolly, Shaun Chandler, Aidan Flynn, Conor Guckain, Jack Flynn, Stephen Goldrick, Conor McLoughlin, Eunan Treacy, David Regan, Liam Chandler. Subs: James Shanley & Ryan Goldrick for Connolly & McLoughlin (HT); Paddy Keane for S Finn (38); Brian Goldrick & Oisin Curley for L Chandler & S. Goldrick (51)

Referee: Michael McGirl