Castlerea St. Kevin’s claimed a first Connacht intermediate championship after a dramatic two point win over Monivea Abbey.
Castlerea never trailed over the 60 plus minutes and defended bravely to secure the Connacht title in Tuam.
Castlerea started the better Eoin McConnell opening the scoring with a fourth minute goal. Adam McDermott was the architect, opening up the Monivea defence and allowing McConnell to find the net.
McDermott converted a free-kick three minutes later to make it 1-1 to no score. It took until the 12th minute for Monivea to settle, Cathal Cooney with opening scoring.
Lee Kenny added Monivea's second 60 seconds later. Adam McDermott responded immediately for Castlerea. McDermott given the advantage by the referee after being tugged back.
Glen Kenny converted a free on 15 minutes to make it 1-2 to 0-3.
Four minutes from time, Denis Farragher made a massive save after Adam McDermott broke the Galway rear guard for a one-on-one. However, Farragher was equal to McDermott.
McDermott converted a free two minutes from time as Castlerea led 1-3 to three points at half-time.
Monivea came out fast for the second-half and made it a one point game three minutes into the second-half. Fionan Garvey and a Glen Kenny free making it 1-3 to 0-5.
Surprise Castlerea goal
However, Castlerea struck back with a surprise goal on 37 minutes. Nathan Bligh sent in a big ball towards the goal. Farragher failed to deal with it and fumbled the ball into the net. A disaster for Monivea who went four points behind.
Castlerea’s second goal come from Nathan Bligh’s speculative shot.
Latest;
Castlerea St. Kevin’s 2-04
Monivea Abbey 0-07Content credit - @ConnachtGAA #RosGAA pic.twitter.com/mAqX3wRiOI
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) November 25, 2023
The Galway men responded well, Niall Mannion and a Glen Kenny free bringing it back to two points. 2-3 to 0-7.
However, it was Castlerea who responded well, Darragh McDermott restoring the three point lead with a 43rd minute free.
Monivea never gave in, Glen Kenny's 54th minute free, his fourth of the day, making it a two point game.
Castlerea keeper David Farrell produced a brilliant save with just moments of normal time remaining, to claw the ball out of the top corner.
Adam McDermott had a chance to seal it with a goal in the fourth minute of injury-time, but this time Monivea keeper Farragher denied him.
However it was to be Castlerea’s day as they ran out 2-4 to 0-8 winners.
🏆 Congratulations to @StKevins Connacht Intermediate Football Club Champions 2023!
Congratulations also to team captain Michael Conroy who was named man of the match #ConnachtGAA pic.twitter.com/LWfnvDCdVQ— Connacht GAA (@ConnachtGAA) November 25, 2023
