Caragh hold out to defeat Sallins and reach semi-finals

Caragh 0-12

Sallins 0-8

Despite a nervy finish, Caragh had enough to see off the challenge of Sallins and advance to the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship. Sallins will lament the fact that they waited until deep into injury time to try and overhaul their opponents.

Caragh were off the mark after 2 minutes with a free from Darragh Swords. Eoin O’Haire followed up with a point from play before James Dalton was in on goal for Sallins.

Dalton’s shot was dealt with by the Caragh rear guard who turned defence into attack and went down the field to put another point on the board from the boot of Dan Murray.

Another two frees were converted for Caragh before Jake Corrigan stuck the ball over the bar to extend the lead to 7. James Dalton finally got Sallins off the mark on 26 minutes after he was played in by Alan Marshall.

Josh Gannon responded for Caragh before Jake Corrigan rounded off the scoring of the half to see Caragh leading at the break by 8 points to one.

Caragh began the second half as they finished the first, winning the throw in and setting up Luke Gannon for his second point of the day. Sallins responded with a point from Paul Clifford and followed that up with a free from Stephen Kelly. Austin Nevin pointed for Caragh before Clifford split the posts once more for Sallins.

On 41 minutes James Dalton had the ball over the bar for Sallins to cut the gap between the sides to 5 points. A free from Darragh Swords kept the scoreboard ticking over for Caragh before Stephen Kelly pointed from a mark for Sallins. A free from Eoin O’Haire on 51 minutes put the gap between the teams back to 6.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, James Dalton shot for goal for Sallins, his effort was blocked, but the ball ricocheted inside the square before a Caragh defender got a boot to it and put it over the side-line.

A quick side-line was prevented as the ball was aided over the perimeter fence.

Tempers flared somewhat leading to some pushing, shoving and testing of jersey fabric. After consultation with linesmen and umpires the referee showed a plethora of yellow cards before resuming the match with the side-line to Sallins which was kicked harmlessly wide.

Daniel Woulfe kicked a point from play for Sallins on 66 minutes, before Colm Dalton struck over a free on 69 minutes to put 4 between the sides. The referee continued to play on and in the 70 th minute,

Sallins were awarded a free in. The free hung over the danger area and was eventually put into the back of the Caragh net by

Darragh Mangan cutting the deficit to a single point. Sallins won the resulting kick out, but shot wide before the referee blew the full time whistle, much to the simultaneous relief and joy of the Caragh faithful.

CARAGH: Michael Behan; Cathal McKennedy, Matthew McNally, Billy Byrne; Paul Dockery, Ryan Burke, Conor Sullivan; Eoghan O’Haire (0-2, 1 free), Kevin Connor; Josh Gannon (0-2), Darragh Swords (0-4, 4 frees), Dan Murray (0-1); Ronan Doorey, Dan Campbell, Jake Corrigan (0-2). Subs: Austin Nevin (0-1) for Dan Campbell (8 minutess), Fergal McKennedy for Cathal McKennedy (55 minutes).

SALLINS: Matthew Farrelly; Ruari Ó Domhnaill, Paul Clifford (0-2), Conor Dalton; Luke Kelly, Alan Marshall, Sean Ó Domhnaill; Darragh Mangan (1-00), Luke Killian; Mark Moynihan; Colm Dalton (0-1, free), Sean Conway; Stephen Kelly (0-2, 1 free, 1 mark), James Dalton (0-2), Paul Farrelly. Subs: Ben Caulfoeld for Alan Marshall (39 minutes); Daniel Woulfe (0-1) for Sean Conway (42 minutes); Aaron Carney for Ruari Ó Domhnaill (57 minutes).

REFEREE: Brian Kearney.