Castlegar………3-12 Carnmore………4-9
In an amazing second half comeback, Castlegar fought from a 13 point half time deficit to force a draw with their near neighbors Carnmore in the second quarter final at Athenry.
The first half showed a fighting fit Carnmore scoring almost at will against a lethargic Castlegar and building up a huge lead before the interval. Not alone was the lead impressive, but Carnmore was so much on top that they looked like stretching their lead substantially in the second half.
But a move that brought Ted Murphy to midfield and Paddy Glynn into the "Cashel" attack was the basis for a remarkable Castlegar comeback. Murphy was "unbeatable" in the second half, and for the first time in the game, Cashel didn't miss John Connolly in the centre. The Murphy transformation gave the whole team a new lease, and they fought like tigers to gain the advantage. The Cashel backs blended so tightly that they only allowed Carnmore three points in the second half and they blotted out the previously starring Padraic Fahy, James Grealish and Jimmy Hughes. The Carnmore officials were in a state of panic too and towards the end, two of their top players Tommy Madden and Martin Kerrigan were replaced by Jack Hession and Mattie Greaney.
FIRST AWAY
Cashel were first away with a Commins point but a goal and a point from Padraic Fahy brought Carnmore to the fore. Three points from frees by Commins leveled the scores but a 14th minute goal by Fahy set the pattern for Carnmore. Commins replied with a point but a goal from Jimmy Hughes gave the Reds a distinct advantage, Further Carnmore points from Greaney, Fahy and Grealish (2) made things look very bleak to Cashel, but a Jim Grealish goal and a Fahy point before half time had Carnmore in an almost insurmountable lead. Then on the restart came the Murpky move to midfield. Cashel had points in quick succession from Connolly, Glynn and Egan and a Tom Glynn goal, before Carnmore's first point of the second half from Padraic Fahy.
It was however Liam Mulryan's goal in the 15th minute of the second half that gave the first indication that Cashel were at last a danger. Commins and Fahy exchanged points before Tommy Glynn narrowed the gap to two points. Commins and Murphy exchanged points again and Paddy Glynn had a point for Cashel. Then came the incident of the thrown hurley and Noel Commins equalized from a free in the nick of time.
Pat Walsh was sound in goal for Carnmore and was the centre of the last minute excitement. Best of the backs were; Jimmy Conroy, Mattie Cooney and Fergus Madden. Jimmy Duggan and Martin Kerrigan had a good game at midfield while best in attack were Padraic Fahy, James Grealish. Jimmy Hughes and up to his retirement Tommy Madden. Tony Gavin was at his best in goal for Castlegar. He got good cover from all the backs especially J. Corcoran, Alfie Cooney and Ted Murphy in the first half. Murphy excelled in the second half while Tommy Glynn and Ml Connolly were out of their depth in the first half, although both improved immensely in the second half.
Noel Commins was in top form all through in attack, and was in fact responsible for all Cashel's scores in the first half. Other-good attackers were Paddy Glynn and Liam Mulryan.
Teams:
Carnmore: P. Walsh, J. Conroy, P. Fahy, M. Cooney. F. Madden, S. Murphy, J. Long. J. Duggan, M. Kerrigan, T. Madden, J. Grealish, Ml Greaney, W. Greaney, J. Hughes, P. Fahy
Castlegar: T. Gavin, J.Corcoran, T. Broderick, A. Cooney, P. Connor, T. Murphy, S. Francis, T. Glynn, M Connolly, M. Commins, D. Furey, T. Glynn, L. Mulryan, P. Egan.
Referee: Mr. A. Higgins, Ardrahan.