St Croans (Roscommon) 0-14
Sean O'Mahony's (Louth) 2-7

Sean O'Mahonys dreams of All-Ireland glory came to an end in Breffni Park when a brave second half comeback fell just short, allowing St Croans of Roscommon to advance to the final.

The Dundalk men have made a habit of battling back from difficult situations throughout the campaign, but this time left themselves too much to do after a first half when they failed to find their rhythm.

The second period saw a dramatic improvement from the Leinster champions and it looked as if they would make it through to the Croke Park decider only for Croans to land two late points and snatch the victory.

It was a disappointing end to a game that saw the O'Mahonys make the perfect start with Stephen Kilcoyne opening the scoring with a goal inside the opening minute.

However, the Connacht champions then took complete control against the out-of-sorts Seans and kicked seven unanswered points before the 20th minute to lead 0-7 to 1-0.
In typical fashion, Brendan Nordon's side refused to give up a Conor Crawley flicked in a trademark goal to reduce the gap to one.

The Roscommon men kicked the last two points of the half to lead by 0-9 to 2-0.

The second half saw the O'Mahonys a transformed side as they finally found their shooting boots, with Kilcoyne (2) and Gary Mulligan on target as the gap was reduced to one point.

The same two players responded to a Croans point to level the game and with less than five minutes on the clock, the Dundalk side edged ahead when Stephen Fisher landed a point.

However, Croans tied the game up with two minutes to play and set up a dramatic finale. John O'Brien had a chance to put his side in front from a free but the effort was blocked down and the Roscommon men broke forward and won a free which the pointed to go ahead.

The O'Mahonys did have one last chance to force extra-time but Conor Finnegan didn't get the connection he required and his effort drifted wide of the post.

ST CROANS: Vincent Egan; Gerard Mockler, Gregory Grogan, Keith Keenan (0-1); Daniel Malone, Eamonn Towey, Maurice Connaughton (0-2, 1'45); Ross Timothy, Brian Mullin; Kevin Smyth (0-5, 4f), James Connaughton, Keith Muldoon; Robbie Keenan, Michael Holland (0-2), Aidan Brogan (0-3). Subs: Shane Smyth (0-1) for Brian Mullin, P Leech for Daniel Malone (BC), M Towey for Keith Muldoon, C Connolly for Aidan Brogan.

SEAN O'MAHONYS: Kevin Brennan; Pat O'Brien, Mickey Clarke, Ronan Byrne; Keith McLaughlin, John O'Brien, Kurt Murphy; Shane Brennan, Peter Nixon; Liam Dullaghan, Conor Finnegan, Gary Mulligan (0-2); Stephen Fisher (0-2), Conor Crawley 1-0, Stephen Kilcoyne (1-3, 0-2f). Subs: Conor Martin for P O'Brien, Jonathan Connolly for C Martin, David Dowling for C Crawley.

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