HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 1-13
ST MOCHTAS 0-13

A rather fortuitous goal from Ryan Burns proved decisive as Hunterstown Rovers advanced to the semi-final of the Intermediate Championship with victory over St Mochtas at Haggardstown on Sunday evening.

The county player made a huge impact on his return to club action after a stint in the United States as he finished with a personal tally of 1-7.

While some of his second half points were out of the top drawer, it was the goal on 14 minutes that ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides.

A long range effort for a point had Mochtas goalkeeper Conor Ryan in difficulty from the moment he knew it was going to drop short and as he tried to pluck it from under the crossbar, it slipped from his grasp in the very wet conditions and ended up in the back of the net.

In what proved to be a well-contested game, the Louth Village side were always in contention but that goal and the dismissal of Nigel Farrell early in the second half allowed Hunterstown to hold out for victory.

When the teams met in the league last week, Hunterstown emerged comfortable winners but on this occasion were made to fight all the way.

Early points from Paul Carrie and Alan Landy but the Mochtas replied with scores from Nigel Farrell, Gareth O'Reilly and Ultan Larney to lead 0-3 to 0-2 after nine minutes.

Tony McKenna levelled soon after before the Burns goal had his team in charge at 1-3 to 0-3.

Once again the Mochtas hit back to level with three in a row from Declan Byrne (2) and Farrell, before Burns edged his side in front once more. However, Stephen McCooey landed two points before the break to send the Louth Village men in with a 0-8 to 1-4 advantage.

Rovers were back in front three minutes into the second half thanks to scores from Carrie and McKenna, and their prospects improved even further when Farrell received his marching orders.

To their credit, the Mochtas battled to stay in contention and Byrne was at the centre of things as he landed three points in reply to scores from Burns and Brendan Lennon to level the game at 1-8 to 0-11 at the end of the third quarter.

The game was still in the balance for the remainder of the game but Hunterstown began using the extra man to good effect and saw Burns and Carrrie raise white flags, before Byrne replied for the Mochtas.

Burns and Byrne then traded scores to make it 1-11 to 0-13 but the Mochtas were unable to force another equaliser and Hunterstown completed the win with scores from Paddy Mooney and Burns.

HUNTERSTOWN: Alan Fedigan; Brian Matthews, David Finn, Paddy Mooney 0-1; Patrick Taaffe, Richie Taaffe, Keith Brennan; Tony McKenna 0-2, Ryan Ward; Ryan Burns 1-5, Brendan Lennon, Padraig Matthews; Alan Landy 0-1, Paul Carrie 0-3, Glen Matthews. Sub: Stuart Callan for G Matthews.

ST MOCHTAS: Conor Ryan; Liam Lawlor, Gary Connolly, David Lennon; Barry Mulholland, Darren McMahon, Shane McMahon; Gareth O'Reilly 0-1, Emlyn Clerkin; Danny Kindlon, Declan Byrne 0-7, Philip Englishby; Nigel Farrell 0-2, Ultan Larney 0-1, Stephen McCooey 0-2. Subs: Eamonn O'Neill for U Larney, Cormac Callan for G O'Reilly.

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