CLAN NA GAEL 1-6
ST BRIDES 1-6

Clan na Gael and St Brides have to do it all again after playing out a draw in the last of the Intermediate Championship quarter-finals at Haggardstown on Sunday evening.

In a game played in very difficult wet conditions, neither side will be happy with their performance but no doubt will be very relieved to have earned another chance.

A game that was littered with handling and passing errors never really burst into life until the closing stages when a point from Emmet Kirk looked to have won it for the Brides, only for Conall McKeever to force a replay with the last kick deep into injury time.

As a result, both sides will have to meet again to decide who will face Hunterstown in the last four.

A game that was short on drama almost got off to a bright start as Shane Kerrigan was denied a goal by a fine save from Gavin Neary.

However, that was a rare bit of action in front of the posts as it took until the 13th minute for Jason Callan to put the Brides ahead with the first point of the game.

The Clans then began to enjoy good possession going forward and three pointed frees from Conall McKeever between the 15th and 21st minutes had his team 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.

The Brides responded by getting control of the game and added two points through Emmet Kirk and Sean McDonnell to level the game at the break, although they will rue three missed chances during that period.

The entertainment level showed little improvement after the break as the teams failed to cope with the greasy ball and surface, with only Conall McKeever free on 33 minutes troubling the scoreboard.

Emmet Kirk then began to impose himself on the game and levelled matters on 16 minutes before putting his side in front two minutes later at 0-5 to 0-4.

Just when it looked as if the Brides might push on, they were rocked by a Clans goal as Paul Martin lobbed Alan Meegan after Mark Newell's initial shot had been saved.

However, the response of the Knockbridge men was impressive as Kirk produced a moment of magic as he weaved through the defence before firing home on 21 minutes to make it 1-5 to 1-4.

Paul Crewe levelled for the Clans within 60 seconds but it looked as if the Brides were heading to the last four when Kirk sent over from distance.

Deep into injury time, the Brides lost possession in their own half and Robbie Curran was hauled down as he went for a point. McKeever made no mistake with the close range free to ensure the teams will have to meet again.

CLAN NA GAEL: Gavin Neary; Gary Hoeym, Paul Gartland, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Paul Crewe 0-1, JJ Quigley, Leo Martin; Robbie Curran, Ray McCabe; Stephen Coleman, Conal Cooney, Conall McKeever 0-5; Mark Newell, Paul Gore, Mark McGeown. Subs: Paul Martin 1-0 for S Coleman, Brendan Begley for C Cooney, Kevin Carroll for S Fitzpatrick, Craig Long for JJ Quigley.

ST BRIDES: Alan Meegan; Ciaran Deane, Cillian Kirk, Stephen Kettle; Sean McDonnell 0-1, Alan Dunne, Padraic Mackin; Mark Hoey, Jason Callan 0-1; Donal McNally, Emmet Kirk 1-4, Aaron Hoey; Niall Mackin, Shane Kerrigan, Aaron Devlin. Subs: Sean Brennan for A Devlin, Kevin Hearty.

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