GERALDINES 2-9
NAOMH OLAF 1-12 aet

Jim McEneaney made a dramatic return from injury with a late equalising point to send the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship Final to a replay following a brave display from the Geraldines of Louth against Dublin's Naomh Olaf at Drogheda.

The captain, who hadn't featured in the competition, until his introduction at half time, proved his value to the team with a late point from a '45' at the end of normal time to force extra-time.

He then landed two points from frees in the second half of extra-time to send the game to a replay which will take place in Parnell Park on Sunday.

It was a just reward for the Louth champions who battled bravely throughout the game. At times the Dublin side looked to be getting on top but on each occasion the Gers managed to get back into the game and deservedly lived to fight another day.

The game began in whirlwind fashion as Johnny Breen had opened the scoring for the Gers, Naomh Olaf responded with a goal from 2011 All-Ireland winning minor captain David Byrne on three minutes. However, the Geraldines hit back in style when Glen Traynor hit the back of the net to make it 1-1 to 1-0.

The visitors then edged ahead before the end of the first quarter with two unanswered points and while the scoring rate dropped after that, the levels of intensity certainly didn't.

Shane O'Hanlon twice levelled the game but it was Naomh Olaf who had the final say of the first half to go in leading by 1-4 to 1-3.

The Dublin champions doubled their advantage at the start of the second half with Fergal McCann on target but they were rocked back when Traynor pounced for his second goal while a point from McEneaney had their side 2-4 to 1-5 in front.

The Gers were unable to press home that advantage and the visitors took a grip on the game with four unanswered points from Brian Begley (2), Eoin Christian and McCann to lead by 1-9 to 2-4.

Their flow was disrupted after Conor Haskins was shown a straight red card and the home side made the most of their opportunity with points from Traynor and a last minute effort from McEneaney to send the game to extra time.

Not surprisingly, there was little to separate the teams in extra-time with Shane O'Hanlon cancelling out a Naomh Olaf point to send the teams in level at 2-7 to 1-10.

The visitors looked to have taken a decisive lead with two points early in the second period, but once again the Geraldines refused to give up. McEneaney gave his side hope from a free before sending over the equaliser a minute from time to bring a dramatic game to a conclusion.

Geraldines - N Cooney; S Watters, N Mackin, T Hand; J Craven, G Hoey, K Pepper; S Reidy, M Rogers; S Thornton, J Breen (0-1), P Hoey; G Traynor (2-1), S O'Hanlon (0-3), B Hamilton. Subs: S Callan for P Hoey, J McEneaney (0-4) for Watters, J Arrowsmith for Thornton, D Hamill for B Hamilton.

Naomh Olaf - N Gibbons; A Murphy, K Birrane, R Miley; B Gaughran, C Doyle, David Byrne (1-0); Darragh Byrne, C Haskins; F McCann (0-1), F Purcell (0-3), B Begley (0-4); J McGrath, E Kinsella (0-2), E Christian (0-1). Subs: T O'Donoghue for McGrath, G Wilkins for Begley, D Meskell for McCabb, S Hickey (0-1), S Whyte for David Byrne, F McCann for Purcell, B Begley for Christian. Tweet

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