St Senan's edge past Cappagh to reach Limerick intermediate football final

A FLURRY of first half two-pointers helped St Senan’s overcome the challenge of Cappagh 0-16 to 0-14 to secure a place in this year’s Griffin Coaches County Intermediate Football Championship final in wintery conditions in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale on Saturday.

St Senan's will now face the winners of this Tuesday night's second semi-final between Galbally and Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan which takes place in Adare, 8pm, in the county intermediate final.

Seamus O’Carroll sent Cappagh into an early lead through a free in Saturday's semi-final in Rathkeale before Oisin O’Farrell powered through the right channel of the Cappagh defence to slot over after four minutes.

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James Naughton then fired over a magnificent two-point effort after claiming possession directly from a Cappagh kickout.

Naughton then used the aid of the breeze to kick another two-point effort off the ground. O’Carroll responded with a brilliant left-footed effort after a lengthy attack from Cappagh with eight minutes played.

Cillian Meade looped in on his right to clinch another two-pointer for St. Senan’s before Naughton raised another orange flag from a dead ball on 15 minutes, extending his side’s lead to seven points in the process.

A weaving solo-run by Cian Costelloe opened up an opportunity to strike before Naughton dispatched a 45’ between the uprights. O’Carroll then powered his way down the end-line to fist over while down the other end, Michael Mulcahy palmed his effort off the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Naughton continued his clinic from placed balls before a pair of frees from O’Carroll cut the deficit before half-time, with St Senan’s holding a six-point, 0-12 to 0-6 advantage.

O’Carroll’s two-point free was just the start Cappagh required in the second period.

Naughton replied with a free before Carroll responded with a brace of his own. Cappagh then failed to capitalise on a series of gifted opportunities as any form of composure seemed to be absent from the St. Senan’s defence for a brief period.

O’Carroll then floated over another two-point free to reduce the gap down to just a single point after 46 minutes.

Naughton’s fourth two-point free in the 55th minute was massive for St. Senan’s with that effort being complimented by a determined match winning effort from O’Farrell just a minute later.

A point by substitute Scott Murphy and an O’Carroll free was all Cappagh could find in the closing stages as St Senan’s advanced to the decider on a scoreline of 0-16 to 0-14.

SCORERS: St Senans: James Naughton 0-12 (0-4 2pt free, 0-1 free, 0-1 45’, 0-1 2pt), Cillian Meade (0-1 2pt), Oisin O’Farrell 0-2 each. Cappagh: Seamus O’Carroll 0-12 (0-6 frees, 0-2 2pt frees), Cian Costelloe 0-1.

St Senans: Jack Lane, Darren Kearns, Stephen Kearney, Dave Finnerty, Senan Walsh, Darragh Woulfe, Will Madigan, Oisin O’Farrell, Ray O’Flaherty, Cillian Meade, Senan O’Brien, Kevin Guina, Michael Mulcahy, Adam Kearns, James Naughton.
Subs: Charlie McEldowney for Will Madigan (36 mins), Aidan O’Malley for Senan Walsh (45 mins), Killian O’Mahony for Kevin Guina (60 + 2 mins).

Cappagh: Colin Barry, Owen Dee, Denis Lenihan, Bob Cregan, Conor Lenihan, Tom McMahon, Cian Costelloe, John Wall, Aidan O’Shea, James Lanigan, Cian O’Carroll, Eoin Barry, Darragh O’Carroll, Seamus O’Carroll, Barry Lenihan. Subs: Nessan Leahy for Darragh O’Carroll (40 mins), Scott Murphy for Bob Cregan (52 mins), John Fitzgerald for John Wall (59 mins).