Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan through to Limerick Intermediate decider with victory over Galbally

ASKEATON-Ballysteen-Kilcornan will play St Senan's in this year's Griffin Coaches County Intermediate Football Championship final after overcoming Galbally in what was an enthralling encounter in Rathkeale.

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In what was a breathless first half played in front of a healthy crowd in Mick Neville Park, ABK raced into an early lead thanks to some excellent forward play. 

Joey Rushe, who was a real livewire throughout the first half got his side off the mark via a free and Paul O'Shaughnessy doubled the lead moments later after fisting the ball over the bar. 

ABK managed to raise a green flag after just four minutes when Sam Colgan's neat pass found Padraic Murphy and the corner forward made no mistake leaving the score at 1-3 to 0-0.

Galbally were struggling to break down the stern ABK defence early on, with the likes of Luke Gammell, Patrick Moran and Bill Casey providing excellent cover. 

Dylan O'Shea got Galbally off the mark moments later with a fine effort from distance. The first two-pointer of the day came via the boot of ABK shot-stopper Jamie Dolan to stretch his side's lead to seven.

Dolan added a 45' a few minutes later to add to his side's lead before their Galbally counterparts started to come back into the game.

A fine two-point effort Josh Dineen after 20 minutes sparked a surge of points for Galbally. Points from Ger Quinlan and Dylan O'Shea made it a one-score game after 26 minutes, 1-6 to 0-6.

Jamie O'Meara put a stop to Galbally's run with a fine effort from distance with the outside of his boot. Josh Dineen added his second of the day moments later before two goal chances were traded at either end. 

Rushe forced a fine save from Peter Morrissey at one end before Eoin O'Mahony crashed an effort off of Jamie Dolan's crossbar moments later.

Rushe and Quinlan traded further efforts to leave the sides at 1-8 to 0-7 at the break.

The second half started much the same as the first half ended. Dylan O'Shea hit a fine two-point effort to bring his side to within two points of ABK. 

What followed for much of the second half was both teams going score for score. Dylan O'Shea and Ger Quinlan were in excellent point scoring form for Galbally whilst Jamie Dolan was excellent from placed balls, nailing a vital two-pointer.

Ger Quinlan was a constant thorn in ABK's side in the second half, keeping his side in the game with a few excellent efforts.

Points from Rushe and corner-back John Fitzsimons as well as yet another effort from Quinlan left the sides at 1-15 to 0-16 with little time left.

A James Ryan two-pointer from way out levelled the sides deep into injury time. A hectic few minutes would follow before ABK would grab the win at the death.

A close-range free from Joey Rushe was tapped over with seconds remaining to earn ABK a place in this year's intermediate decider where they will face St Senan's on Sunday. 

SCORERS: GALBALLY: Ger Quinlan 0-6 (2f), Dylan O'Shea 0-6 (1 2p), Josh Dineen 0-3 (1 2p), James Ryan 0-2 (1 2p), Mike Donovan 0-1 (1f).

ASKEATON-BALLYSTEEN-KILCORNAN: Jamie Dolan 0-6 (2 2pt) (1 45'), Joey Rushe 0-5 (4f), Padraic Murphy 1-0, James O'Meara 0-2, Paul O'Shaughnessy, John Fitzsimons, Padhraic McMahon 0-1 each.

GALBALLY: Peter Morrissey, James O'Sullivan, Robert Sampson, Jack O'Mullane, Ciaran Sheehan, Cathal O'Mahony, Eoin McGrath, Mike Donovan, Dylan O'Shea, Ger Quinlan, James Ryan, Eoin O'Mahony, Josh Dineen, Jamie Morrissey, Gary McCarthy.

SUBS: Callum Sheehan for Gary McCarthy (40 mins), John English for Jamie Morrissey (53 mins), Cathal Flynn for Mike Donovan 58 mins inj.)

ASKEATON-BALLYSTEEN-KILCORNAN: Jamie Dolan, John Fitzsimons, Bill Casey, Niall Barry, Luke Gammell, Patrick Moran, Sam Colgan, Shane Gallagher, Alan McGrath, Padhraic McMahon, Danny Neville, James O'Meara, Joey Rushe, Paul O'Shaughnessy, Padraic Murphy.

SUBS: Sean Whelan for Eoin O'Mahony (42 mins), Jamie O'Sullivan for Shane Gallagher (55 mins), Shane Hallinan for Padhraic McMahon (58 mins)

REFEREE: Daithí De Búrca (Na Piarsaigh)