IFC quarter-final: Joes on fire against Na Piarsaigh
August 24, 2015
Alan Quigley St Josephs
ST JOSEPHS 2-17
NA PIARSAIGH 0-12
A blistering spell either side of the break saw St Josephs fight back to book a place in the semi-final of the Intermediate Championship.
The Joes looked to be struggling at St Brigid's Park on Saturday evening when Na Piarsaigh had built up a 0-10 to 1-1 in first half stoppage time. However, they fired over three points before the break and within ten minutes of the restart had added 1-7 to take a complete grip on proceedings.
A shell-shocked Dundalk side were further disrupted by the loss of Cormac Malone and Stephen McGuinness to injury, and they were unable to reproduce their impressive form of the first half as the Joes held out comfortably to book a meeting with Kilkerley in the last four.
Not for the first time in his career, Derek Mulligan was provided the inspiration in front of the posts as he grabbed two goals to help his side through. Alan Quigley also stepped up to the mark when needed as he finished with seven points.
Na Piarsaigh began the game by continuing the good form they have shown of late and were 0-3 to 0-1 in front before Mulligan settled his side with the first goal of the game.
However, the Dundalk men responded well and with Mark Larkin in fine kicking form they regained control and with 33 minutes on the clock were 0-10 to 1-1 in front.
However, the Joes took advantage of the long spell of injury time with three points to reduce the gap to just three at half time.
The Joe, who had the advantage of the breeze in the second half, came out with renewed determination and within five minutes had drawn level at 0-11 to 1-8. They added the next two points before Mulligan pounced for his second goal to move 2-10 to 0-11.
Na Piarsaigh were unable to respond to the blitz and could only manage one further point before the and as the Joes extended the advantage to 11 points at the final whistle.
ST JOSEPHS: Robert Sansom; Philip Kinahan, Ben Mulligan, David Kierans; David Mernagh, Sean McQuillan, Liam O'Leary; Adam O'Connor 0-1, Peter Mulligan 0-1; Alan McKenna 0-2, Conall Smith 0-1, Conal O'Hanlon 0-2; Alan Quigley 0-7, Craig Doherty 0-2, Derek Mulligan 2-1. Sub: Jack Mulligan for C O'Hanlon.
NA PIARSAIGH: Paul O'Hare; Joseph Woods, Conal Shields, Stephen McGuinness; Damien McGeeney, Jarlath Lyons, Eamon McAuley; Michael Woods (0-1), John Garvey; Ronan McCartney, Mark Larkin (0-9), Alan McCartney; Robert Murphy (0-1), David Boyle (0-1), Cormac Malone. Subs: Aidan Marks, Sean McAuley, David Egan, Ciaran Murphy, Gavin Magee.
