GERALDINES 2-11
KILKERLEY EMMETS 1-11

Geraldines survived a few nervous moments at the end of this Senior Championship encounter at The Grove on Saturday night before claiming a victory that sees them play reigning champions, Newtown Blues, in the quarter final.

On a number of occasions, the Gers looked to have taken full command of the tie but Kilkerley simply refused to give up and almost snatched a draw that would have been enough to send them into the knock-out stages.

Despite being reduced to 14 men with the dismissal of Fintan Clarke, the Emmets could have claimed the crucial goal when a quick Shane Lennon free picked out Tadhg McEneaney in front of the posts, but his low shot was blocked by Nathaniel Cooney.

Deep into injury-time there was still hope for Kilkerley when Lennon got a sight of goal but his effort was blocked by a combination of three defenders and the Gers held out for the win.

It was a tense finish to a game that began in less dramatic circumstances as a well-taken Shaun Callan goal on seven minutes was the only score in an opening 17 minute period in which both sides missed a number of chances.

The scoring rate picked up in the closing 12 minutes as three quick-fire points from Lennon (2) and McElroy had the teams level. However, the Haggardstown men looked to have regained command when the impressive Shane O'Hanlon jinked his way past his marker and found the net with a fine finish to see his side lead by 2-3 to 0-5 at the break.

Again Kilkerley just wouldn't go away and points from Lennon (2) and Cathal Bellew inside three minutes, left just one between the team.

That momentum was disrupted when Fintan Clarke then got his marching orders after a black card on 34 minutes followed a first half yellow, and there looked to be no way back when O'Hanlon took centre stage to help his team lead by 2-7 to 0-8 on 37 minutes.

The game took another twist when referee Noel Hand didn't spot a push by Shane Lennon as he won possession, but he did see a trip on the Louth player and promptly awarded a penalty. Lennon found the bottom corner to leave just two points between the teams.

Kilkerley gave their all in the closing stages to try to save the game but just couldn't bridge the gap. The Geraldines missed a number of chances to close out the game with Cillian Quigley pulling off a fine save to deny Barry Hamilton.

At the other end, McEneaney and Lennon came agonisingly close to scoring the goal that would have put their side through but, fittingly, it was Shane O'Hanlon who had the final say with the last point of the match.

GERALDINES: Nathaniel Cooney; Ryan Trainor, Nicky Mackin, Tiarnan Hand; Kevin Pepper, Gerard Hoey, Gareth Neacy 0-1; Michael Rogers, Stephen Reidy 0-3; Josh Arrowsmith, Johnny Breen, Shaun Callan 1-0; Matthew Corcoran, Shane O'Hanlon 1-5 (3fr), Barry Hamilton. Subs: James Craven for K Pepper, Owen Brayden for J Arrowsmith.

KILKERLEY EMMETS: Cillian Quigley; Barra McCarthy, Niall Mulholland, Cillian Mulligan; Ronan Lennon, Fintan Clarke, Alan McGeough 0-1; James Fegan, Cathal Bellew 0-1; Donal McElroy 0-1, Shaun McElroy, Ciaran Bellew; Ciaran Clarke, Shane Lennon 1-8, Daniel McKeown. Subs: Tadhg McEneaney for D McKeown, Cormac Bellew for N Mulholland, Andrew McGuill for C Clarke, Paddy Hughes for R Lennon. Tweet

Most Read Stories