Under 21 Hurling- Penalty joy for St Martin’s

This under-21 semi final in Coon last week provided wonderful entertainment for the large crowd present.

Galmoy/Windgap began well with two quick early points from Billy Drennan before Jack Farrell opened the St Martin’s account after a foul on Sean Hunt in the fifth minute.

Callum Lonergan grabbed a Niall Drennan delivery and struck over for the visitors to which the hard working Jamie Morrissey replied after pouncing on a poor clearance.

A foul on Killian Enright saw Billy Drennan strike over his first of nine frees .

Opposing free taker Jack Farrell was also in good form as he struck over his second before Sean Hunt grabbed a short clearance on the left hand side and split the posts to level the game on the quarter hour mark.

It was at this stage, that goalkeeper Eoin O’Shea brought off a wonderful save from James O Neill to keep his sheet clean.

Within a minute, St Martins won a free at midfield out on the right wing. Goalkeeper Oisín Kelly trotted out and coolly struck his side into a one point lead.

That lead didn’t last for long however, as Niall Drennan took a pass from Billy Power and struck over from 70 metres out .

Jamie Morrissey responded with a good point on the run but Galmoy/Windgap finished the stronger.

Billy Drennan found Jack Doyle with a crossfield ball and then Drennan pointed a free after the same Doyle was fouled to leave Galmoy/Windgap marginally ahead 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

Drennan stretched that with another free won by Conor Doyle, before Martin’s responded once more.

Two frees from Jack Farrell, the second following a foul on Jamie Morrissey, levelled up proceedings for the fourth time, 0-8 each.

Farrell and Drennan exchanged two pointed frees each either side of a cracking Oisín Kelly save from a Niall Drennan shot as the excitement levels soared at this stage.

Galmoy/Windgap were dealing well at this stage with the St Martins forwards with James Purcell and Colman Moloney doing well at the back.

Sean Purcell was also mopping up a lot of ball at this juncture.

This provided more ball up front where they won two frees which Billy Drennan pointed, to open up a two point lead, 0-12 to 0-10.

They then hit three wides in succession which were to prove crucial later on.

Killian Enright had worked hard all day and he picked off a nice point in the 55th minute.

St Martin’s were not done however, and backed by their large following, they summoned up the energy to force a goal.

A long free out of defence by Oisín Kelly was collected by James O Neill who carried the sliotar in from the right hand side before booting it to the net to level it all up once more.

They then won a free at midfield and with Oisín Kelly and Jack Farrell both offering to take it, it was Farrell who stepped up and sent his side into a late lead.

There was one more play however, when Jack Doyle grabbed the puckout and struck over his left shoulder to send the game in to extra time,0-14 to 1-11.

Again, the visitors began strongly with a Billy Drennan point from play before they hit the net.

Sean Purcell took a quick free up the left wing to Jack Doyle whose crossfield ball was grabbed inside by Callum Lonergan and planted in the net, 1-15 to 1-11.

Once more, the hosts responded positively, with a good James O’Neill point, before the same player soloed in from the right to roof an unstoppable shot to the net and level it up once more.

Excitement was now at fever pitch with every single player trying his utmost.

Jack Farrell struck over his eight free to push his side ahead only for Conor Doyle to respond following a mazy run by Adam O’Shea.

As we approached half time in extra time, St Martins midfielder Mícheál Keane edged his side in front with a good score on the run.

Straight after the turnaround, Billy Drennan won a free and brought parity once more.

It was now the turn of the home side to hit a few wides as they summoned a final effort.

They won a free which Mícheál Keane sent over only for Drennan to stand tall at the other end and draw a foul which he converted to send this amazing clash to penalties.

Oisín Kelly and Mícheál Keane slotted home two early penalties for the hosts whereas Galmoy /Windgap drew two early blanks thanks to some sharp goalkeeping by Kelly.

Billy Drennan made no mistake with his strike but James O Neill won it for St Martins with a good shot to end the drama.

St Martin’s - Oisín Kelly (0-1free); Colin Hayes, Ciarán Nolan, Bill Dowling, Matthew Bolger, Tristan Roche, Matthew Shortall, Tadhg Gill, Mícheál Keane (0-2, 0-1 free), Jack Farrell (0-8 frees), Joe Reid, Russell Kealy, James O’Neill (2-1), Sean Hunt (0-1),Jamie Morrissey (0-2).

Subs: Aaron Farrell, Cathal Keegan and Adam Morrissey.

Galmoy/Windgap - Eoin O’Shea, Zak Kennedy, Pauric Foley, Colman Moloney, James Purcell, Sean Purcell, Gearóid Phelan, Killian Enright (0-1), Billy Power, Niall Drennan (0-1), Jack Doyle (0-2), Adam O’Shea, Callum Lonergan (1-1), Billy Drennan (0-12, 0-9 frees), Conor Doyle (0-1).

Subs: Jack O Shea, Sean Barron and Daniel Hanrahan.

Referee - Richard Holland (Tullaroan)