Annaduff endure early Carrigallen scare before cruising to comfortable Smith Monumentals IFC Quarter Final victory

Annaduff marched into the Smith Monumentals IFC Semi Finals but to class this as a  cakewalk would do a huge dis-service to Carrigallen who put the favourites to the pin of their collars in the first half last Saturday in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

 Annaduff's  attacking pace and options saw them eventually cruise to a comfortable 15 point victory with two late Carrigallen goals putting a gloss on the scoreline but for the opening quarter, it was the underdogs who looked the more accomplished team and well worked an early four point lead.

Fionnan Harte's poacher goal put Carrigallen four up and they were well worth it as their work-rate and attitude discommoded Annaduff but when Kyle Russell and Senan Mooney pounced for a goal each within 60 seconds, it was game over.

Darren Cox spent his day pulling the strings, dragging Carrigallen's defence all over the field before slipping in teammates for scores while he also landed nine points, including one monstrous two point free that must have been easily 60 yards out.

Yet the biggest impression Annaduff left was their sheer hunger and workrate - their forwards moved at pace and nobody on the team stopped working and that hunger was something Carrigallen, without the influential and injured Eoin Ward, couldn't cope with.

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Derek Reilly and Alan Glancy swapped early points, Glancy might have had a goal but Aodan Harte edged Carrigallen in front. Kyle Russell had an early goal chance but Conor O'Neill made a good save after four minutes.

Jason Ward scored on six minutes with Aodan Harte notching his second on eight minutes. Annaduff should have had a goal when Senan Mooney gathered a high ball into the area but his shot went wide with the goal at his mercy.

That looked a costly miss as Carrigallen struck for a goal on ten minutes - keeper Caolan Quigley went up high to keep a dangerous Aodan Harte shot from creeping under his bar but he injured himself in crashing to the ground and Fionnan Harte tapped in the loose ball.

Quigley had to be replaced but in fairness, Annaduff reacted well to the goal as Russell, Darren Cox (free) and Mooney all pointed, Mooney after O'Neill made a great save to prevent Peter Moran from goaling. However, on the very next attack, Annaduff turned over the kickout, Sean McNabola's long ball found Russell in behind and he finished clinically.

From the next kickout, Annaduff won possession and Daniel Bosquette and Darren Cox scorched through the centre of the Carrigallen defence before Mooney showed good footwork to drive to the net.

Colm Kiernan replied with a good solo point but Annaduff hit further points from Cox and Glancy as they led 2-7 to 1-4 at the break. There was a big flare up on the sideline just before the break with a clash over a sideline balls, mentors and players from both teams getting involved in an unsightly outbreak with Annaduff's Kenny Cox and Carrigallen's Fionnan Harte getting booked after the dust settled.

Carrigallen needed a fast start in the second half but two minutes in, Darren Cox's superb crossfield pass found Russell. His shot was saved by O'Neill but the ball rebounded off Daniel McCann into the net.

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That sucked the life from Carrigallen and despite points from Aodan Harte & Aaron Skelly placed balls, Annaduff landed scores from Sean McNabola (2), Cox (two two pointers) and Peter Moran. Gerald Percival pulled back a  point but Annaduff responded with a goal from sub Eoghan Ridge, set up by Darren Cox.

Cox added another two point free before Colm Kiernan struck for 1-1, both from placed balls and the goal after Annaduff breached the three man rule. Bosquette, Cox and McNabola replied with points before Aaron Skelly brought the game to an end with an injury time goal for Carrigallen.

ANNADUFF

Scorers: Darren Cox 0-9, 6f; Kyle Russell 2-1; Senan Mooney 1-1; Sean McNabola 0-3, 1f; Eoghan Ridge 1-0; Alan Glancy 0-2; Dan Bosquette, Peter Moran & Jason Ward 0-1 each

Team: Caolan Quigley, Keelan Lynch, Dillon Keane, Tommy Taylor, Peter Moran, Luke Fitzsimons, Eoin Gill, Kenny Cox, Dan Bosquette,  Alan Glancy, Darren Cox, Jason Ward, Senan Mooney, Sean McNabola, Kyle Russell. Subs: Shane Cox for Quigley (12); Eoghan Ridge for Glancy (40); Shane Morrison for Gill (43); Jack Hughes for K Cox (49); Frank Shanley for Ward (53)

CARRIGALLEN

Scorers: Colm Kiernan 1-2, 1f; Aaron Skelly 1-1, 50; Aodan Harte 0-3, 2f; Fionnan Harte 1-0; Derek Reilly & Gerald Percival 0-1 each

Team: Conor O'Neill, Daniel Lyons, Pat McCann, Daniel McCann, Ben Harte, Gary Reynolds, Charlie Kearney, Brian O'Rourke, Fionnan Harte, Derek Reilly, Colm Kiernan, Aaron Skelly, Kalum McLoughlin, Aodan Harte, Harry Wilson. Subs: Jake Hackett for O'Rourke (24); Conor Gray for Wilson (40); Gerald Percival for Reilly (45); Barry Nash for D McCann (53); Daniel Hackett for Kearney (54)

Referee: Enda Egan