Kiltubrid battle from four points down to force draw with Melvin Gaels in Smith Monumentals IFC Quarter-Final

Kiltubrid rose from the dead to foil Melvin Gaels' quest for a place in the Smith Monumentals IFC Semi Finals as four unanswered points sent an intriguing if somewhat dour quarter final to an unexpected replay.

Unexpected because extra time was due to be played but the failing light and poor visibility put paid to plans to play the scheduled extra time and intriguing as these teams will now meet for a third week in a row in championship action.

Kiltubrid got off to a blistering start to knock Melvin Gaels off their stride, going 1-2 to 0-1 ahead after ten minutes. But a Michael Ferguson goal midway through the quarter and a second just after halftime put the Kinlough men in control as the game entered the final ten minutes.

The Gaels had more than enough chances to finish off this game, keeper Noel Gill making some great saves while the Kinlough men felt aggrieved that a point was disallowed late on when Ferguson, ordered off after a medical stoppage, came back on to score. It was a score that would have put them three clear with less than two minutes to play and they were incensed when it was overturned.

Kiltubrid were also upset that extra-time was not played, feeling, probably rightly, that momentum had completely shifted in their direction but referee Enda Egan was correct to call a halt in the interests of safety.

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Two Barry McWeeney frees got Kiltubrid off to a strong start and although Gary Clancy pulled back a free for Melvin Gaels, they were rocked when James Tighe was clattered by a flying challenge, resulting in a penalty expertly converted by Dermot McKeon.

Kiltubrid looked in control but when the Gaels put together a lovely move involving Joe McGloin, Caolan Clancy and Philip McGowan, Michael Ferguson finished to the net for a crucial goal on 14 minutes.

Neither side managed to score for the rest of the half, Melvin Gaels' Gary Clancy missing three frees as Kiltubrid led 1-2 to 1-1 at the break, a lead they increased when McWeeney hit a third free just after halftime.

However, that lead was wiped out when Melvin Gaels intercepted a Kiltubrid sideline, fed it long to Ferguson who grabbed his second goal. The Gaels were flying but didn't extend their lead with Caolan Clancy hitting a wide, Joe McGloin denied by a great Noel Gill save while they also had a goal disallowed for a push on a defender.

The Melvin Gaels team who drew with Kiltubrid Picture: Willie Donnellan

Gero Gilmartin hit a free, Conor Sheridan &  Ferguson from play as Gill made a great save to deny Ferguson a hat-trick while Kiltubrid sub Aidan McKiernan blasted straight at Kevin McGloin with a goal for the taking.

An out of touch Kiltubrid got an important McWeeney free on 19 minutes, their first in 18 minutes and it seemed to put a bit of pep in their step. McWeeney saw a long range effort tipped over the crossbar by the keeper and suddenly the Gaels were losing momentum.

The Kiltubrid team who drew with Melvin Gaels Picture: Willie Donnellan

They seemed to regain it when Ferguson fired over after a Gary Clancy mark but the score was wiped out and Ferguson booked after the referee ruled he had not left the field of play after a stoppage for an injury.

McWeeney scored his sixth point of the day and fifth free as the game went into added time and Kiltubrid were now winning all the breaking ball. They went long towards the goal, the Gaels clearing but only as far as sub Shane Meehan who belied the number four on his back to hook the equalising shot over the bar.

MELVIN GAELS

Scorers: Michael Ferguson 2-1; Gary Clancy (f), Gero Gilmartin (f) & Conor Sheridan 0-1 each

Team: Kevin McGloin; Kyle O’Driscoll; Kieran Clancy; Eoghan Gallagher; Shane McGloin; Liam Ryan, Sean McSharry, Peter McGloin, Conor Sheridan; Declan Clancy; Caolan Clancy, Philip McGowan; Gary Clancy; Micheál Ferguson; Joe McGloin.Subs: Aidan Keegan for P McGloin (5); Gero Gilmartin for J McGloin (31); JJ Lipsett for Keegan (53); Jack Roynane for S McGloin (61)

KILTUBRID

Scorers: Barry McWeeney 0-6, 5f; Dermot McKeon 1-0, pen; Shane Meehan 0-1

Team: Noel Gill; Peter Winters; Fergal McWeeney; Eamon Geoghegan; Diarmuid McKiernan, Dermot McKeon, Danny McWeeney; Mick McCormack; Jack Foley; Fionn O’Brien; Con Doyle; James Tighe; Barry McWeeney; Ciaran Redican; Shane Foley. Subs: Shane Meehan for Geoghegan (11); Aidan McKiernan for D McWeeney (37); Dylan Esterbrook for F McWeeney (41); Karl Winters & Stephen McLoughlin for Doyle & D McKeon  (53)

Referee: Enda Egan