Tourlestrane fight back to force replay in Martin Brennan Cup final

Kevin O’Kennedy split the posts with a late free to force a replay after the Martin Brennan Cup final finished level at Markievicz Park on Sunday afternoon.

Calry St Joseph’s were leading by four points as the game entered additional time, before Ruairi Brennan struck a goal, followed by O’Kennedy’s free to bring the game level.

It was a strong second-half showing from Tourlestrane, aided by the introduction of O’Kennedy off the bench.

Calry St Joseph’s were leading 0-9 to 1-2 at half-time and were in the driving seat, but with the aid of the breeze, a renewed Tourlestrane fought back after the break.

Four points in the opening 11 minutes saw Calry St Joseph’s open up an early lead, with Michael Costigan and Matthew Hunt on target.

Mike Gallagher intercepted a chance on goal when Hunt’s free almost found Shane Meehan in a dangerous spot.

Tourlestrane had to wait 17 minutes before opening their scoring, when Ruairi Brennan’s free went over.

Calry St Joseph’s kept coming, though, and moved five points clear courtesy of scores from Finlay O’Neill and Darran Roche.

Despite their slow start, Tourlestrane were very much back in the game on 23 minutes when Brennan’s free fell to Aaron Moylan who fired into the net to bring the difference to two points.

Patrick Quinn’s free brough the gap to a single point, but Calry added another three scores before half-time to ensure a four point lead at the break.

Two points in three minutes from captain Brian Shannon and Matthew Hunt stretched that lead to six points, but there was more than enough time remaining for a comeback from Tourlestrane, as the introduction of Kevin O’Kennedy paid dividends.

He added a point from a free five minutes in, while Tourlestrane started to create more opportunities.

Brennan’s free was saved, and the follow up from Jim Gallagher was blocked, before Aidan Marren sent his effort wide.

An outstanding score from Ruairi Brennan was followed by a point from the right from Maren.

O’Kennedy hit another free over, and now the gap stood as just two points with 18 minutes remaining.

But a goal on 43 minutes relieved some of the pressure on Calry St Joseph’s, as Brian Shannon’s bacll into was fired in by sub Kevin Gilmartin, restoring a five point lead for Jim Hunt and Jim Costigan’s side.

Tourlestrane then hit three points in succession, with O’Kennedy, Aaron Moylan and Brennan all on target.

Darran Roche responded with a free for Calry, and O’Kennedy duly responded.

Matthew Hunt then hit three points in three minutes, to leave Tourlestrane trailing by five with two minutes left plus added time.

And it felt as though the gap would be too big to close for Tourlestrane, but they never gave up.

Brennan added another free, and deep in added time added a goal when his free went straight in from distance.

Then O’Kennedy struck from distance with a free five minutes into added time to bring the sides level, and to force a replay.

The replay will take place this Saturday, October 24, at the Sligo GAA Centre of Excellence in Scarden.

Scorers - Calry St Joseph’s: M Hunt 0-8 (4f), K Gilmartin 1-0, M Costigan 0-2, D Roche 0-2 (1f), F O’Neill, B Shannon, C Maguire 0-1 each. Tourlestrane: R Brennan 1-4 (3f), K O’Kennedy 0-5 (4f), A Moylan 1-1, A Marren, P Quinn (1f) 0-1 each.

Calry St Joseph’s: M O’Callaghan, T Kelly, D Collery, D Coyle, C Gonley, M Gray, M McArdle, B Shannon, M Hunt, F O’Neill, M Costigan, D Roche, N McArdle, S Meehan, C Maguire.

Subs: K Gilmartin for N McArdle (28), E Donaghy for Meehan (35).

Tourlestrane: M Gallagher, R O’Hara, S Haran, A O’Hara, R Brennan, B Tobin, F Haughey, A Walsh, C Surlis, J Gallagher, O Deehan, A Moylan, T Brennan, P Quinn, JP Lang.

Subs: K O’Kennedy for T Brennan (HT), A Marren for Quinn (HT).

Referee: G Cawley.

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