St Eunan's defeat Castleblayney to march into the Ulster IHC semi-final

St Eunan’s put in a superb second-half performance to win their Ulster Intermediate Hurling quarter-final against Castleblayney in O’Donnell Park on Sunday.

In great conditions, it was the visitors who led at the break by 0-10 to 1-5, with Leo Moloney hitting six frees in the opening half an hour, while Peter Kelly did the brunt of the scoring for the hosts along with a Fearghal Delaney goal.

But the start of the second half was the difference as Chris McAuley’s side hit 1-4 in the first eight minutes, with man of the match Kevin Kealy hitting a second goal.

And they held out after that, with Kealy and Kelly hitting a couple of points each to march into the semi-finals for their first win at Intermediate hurling and getting revenge on the side that beat them in the Ulster Junior final two years ago.

Castleblayney started well with Moloney converting two early frees, while ‘Eunan’s had an early chance at goal when Kelly’s effort dropped short, and Brian MacIntyre picked up the loose ball, but his shot was blocked for a ‘65 that Kelly converted.

Kevin Kealy got one from play after a lay-off from Fearghal Delaney, and Kealy then flashed a shot just wide of the goal.

But ‘Eunan’s did hit the net soon after, with Ryan Hilferty firing a ball in to Kealy, who found Delaney and he rifled it into the net from close range.

Castleblayney did respond well to this, with Moloney again on target from another free, while Thomas Hughes brilliantly pointed for a first point from play for the Monaghan champions on 14 minutes.

Russell Forde had a shot at goal well saved by Fergal Rafter, and Hughes levelled the game up swiftly after.

A couple of Kelly frees put the hosts back ahead, as Pauric Malone squeezed a shot in between the posts from a tight angle.

Kelly converted another free, but a couple of Moloney frees along with a point from Declan Hughes put Castleblayney back in front.

And they could have hit the net soon after; a puck out went straight to Niall Garland who was in on goal, but St Eunan’s captain Conor O’Grady made a fantastic block to deny him.

Moloney had the last say of the half from a free as Castleblayney led 0-10 to 1-5 at the break.

But St Eunan’s came out flying in the second half, first as O’Grady belted one over from well inside his own half, before David Horgan levelled things three minutes after the restart.

They then struck for a second goal; again O’Grady tried his luck from distance, which Rafter could only touch down to Kealy, who fired in from off the ground.

Russell Forde added another after a super catch and shot on the turn, and when the puck out came to MacIntyre, he laid it off to Kealy, who made no mistake once again for a five-point lead.

Malone and Moloney closed the gap, but Kealy, who continued to impress, added another two points from play.

Declan Hughes and two from Thomas Hughes were replied to by one from MacIntyre, leaving three in it, but St Eunan’s finished strong.

Kelly and Moloney traded frees, and substitute Conall O hEarain hit a brilliant point to put four in it.

And Kelly added a final free in added time as Castleblayney went for goal, with Declan Hughes firing just wide, but it was to be St Eunan’s day as they go into the semi-final to meet Lisbellaw St Patrick’s in two weeks.

St Eunan’s scorers: Kevin Kealy 1-4; Peter Kelly 0-6,5f,1’65; Fearghal Delaney 1-0; Conor O’Grady, David Horgan, Russell Forde, Brian MacIntyre and Conall O hEarain 0-1 each.

Castleblayney scorers: Leo Moloney 0-8,7f; Thomas Hughes 0-4; Declan Hughes and Pauric Malone 0-2 each.

St Eunan’s: Cathal O’Brien; Seán Halvey, Steven Doherty, Lorcan Heavey; Brendan Gaffey, Conor O’Grady, Ryan Hilferty; David Horgan, John Kealy; Brian MacIntyre, Kevin Kealy, Peter Kelly; Fearghal Delaney, Seán McVeigh, Russell Forde.

Subs: Conor Parke for Hilferty (35), Conall O hEarain for Delaney (46), Cormac Finn for J Kealy (56).

Castleblayney: Fergal Rafter; Cillian Hanratty, Eoin Leonard, Brian Flanagan; Zach McArdle, Mark Treanor, Paudie Heavin; Declan Hughes, Conall McHugh; Pauric Malone, Leo Moloney, Niall Garland; Thomas Hughes, Ultan McMahon, Brian McGuigan.

Subs: Tim McArdle for McGuigan (38), Tom Duffy for Garland (53).

Referee: Ruán McKinstry (Armagh)