Louth GAA club | Hunterstown advance to IFC last four

Hunterstown Rovers advanced to the CTI Business Solutions Louth Intermediate Football Championship semi-final after a scrappy two-point win over neighbours St Kevins at the Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda this afternoon.

In truth, it was a game that rarely lived up to the billing in terms of quality, but the closing stages provided the drama the crowd had been craving.

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Hunterstown overturned a two-point half-time deficit to claim a 0-12 to 1-7 victory to ensure their name joins Clan na Gael in the last four draw.

St Kevins came into the tie as underdogs, but for long stretches it looked like they might cause an upset. The Philipstown side started with purpose, and in the first quarter, they punished Hunterstown’s wastefulness in front of goal.

Hunterstown failed to register a point on the scoreboard with over 20 minutes played, while Kevins continued to work hard and grow in confidence.

It was Danny Crosbie who lit the fuse for Kevins as he got the opening point on nine minutes before doubling the advantage a minute later. When he added a free on 14 minutes, Hunterstown were still searching for a way into the contest.

Then, with five minutes to the interval, Cian Callan split the posts with a superb effort for two points, stretching Kevin’s advantage to 0-5 to 0-0.

Only then did Hunterstown finally rouse themselves, with captain Ryan Burns leading from the front. His fisted point, which clipped the crossbar on the way over, got them moving on 26 minutes.

Ryan Ward quickly followed with another, and just before the break, county man Burns struck again with a fine long-range 45'. By half-time, Kevins lead had been trimmed to two points, though Martin King’s side were still the happier camp.

Half time: Hunterstown Rovers 0-3 St. Kevins 0-5

The second half badly needed a spark, and it came from Hunterstown’s increased intensity. Burns once again led the charge, his free on 36 minutes closing the gap before David Finn levelled matters three minutes later.

When Ryan Ward nudged them in front with a neat fist-over, Hunterstown looked to be seizing control. Kevins, however, refused to fold.

John Callaghan’s score restored parity, and after another Burns free, Jacob Finlay answered in kind to keep it delicately poised at 0-7 each.

With the rain pouring down once more, mistakes were plentiful, but Burns’ accuracy from the dead ball nudged Hunterstown back ahead. He then added a fisted effort to make it 0-9 to 0-7.

Just when it seemed Hunterstown were beginning to pull away, the game’s defining moment arrived. On 54 minutes, Kevins broke through the middle, and the ball was worked into the path of Cian Callan.

The forward showed composure and blasted past Donovan Sheridan to the back of the net to raise the green flag that had Kevin's back in front, 1-7 to 0-9, and it set up a nervy finale.

But Hunterstown’s experience told, and once again it was Burns who carried the fight by scoring a free on 57 minutes to level.

With time running out, the county man produced the score of the game on 61 minutes with a fine point on the turn from his weaker left foot to edge them back in front.

He then coolly added another free deep into injury time to close the scoring and secure a 0-12 to 1-7 win. It was far from a vintage contest, but the finish provided excitement and relief for the Hunterstown faithful.

Kevins will rue their inability to build on their strong first-half display, but they depart the championship with credit after running their rivals so close.

For Hunterstown, the semi-final beckons, though the management team of Seán Kelly and Seán Barry will know improvement is required if they are to mount a serious challenge for silverware.

Full-time: Hunterstown Rovers 0-12 St Kevins 1-7.

Hunterstown Rovers: Donovan Sheridan; Adam O'Reilly, Michéal Reid, Euan Woodlock; Shane Halpenny, Patrick Taaffe, Daithi Carroll; Marc Ward, Jason Monaghan; Tony McKenna, Ryan Burns (c) (0-9, 5f, 2 ’45s), James Russell; David Finn (0-1), Ryan Ward (0-2), Ciarán Russell.

Subs: James Rogers on for Marc Ward (HT), Paul Carrie on for Ciarán Russell (39'), Cillian Taaffe on for Jason Monaghan (46')

St. Kevins: Josh Finlay; Cian Martin, Niall Gregory, John Callaghan (0-1); Seanie Crosbie, Cameron Maher, Donnacha Boylan; Lee Crosbie, Danny Crosbie (0-3, 1f); Brian Callaghan, Tom Matthews, Aaron Khan; Jacob Finlay (0-1), Robbie Matthews, Cian Callan (1-2).

Subs: Jack Stokes on for Brian Callaghan (44'), Darren McMullen on for Donnacha Boylan (52'), Joe McArdle on for Lee Crosbie (62')

Referee: Damian Connor (St. Patricks).