Intermediate Championship glory is up for grabs

IT’S A case of all to play for in the Men’s Intermediate Championship with all five sides still in contention for a final spot.

In the opening game, Tír Conaill Harps—in a re-run of the Intermediate League Final—took on Stirling Carrigans (above). However, the scoreline was somewhat different, possibly as a result of the Stirling side missing several key players. Due to this, they struggled to impose themselves on the game, while Harps, in contrast, burst out of the blocks and controlled the game from start to finish. While Stirling managed to notch a goal of their own, Harps were dominant throughout, racking up an impressive 3-18 to 1-04 win.

Carrigans bounced back in style though, defeating Dunedin Connollys—who themselves were fresh from an impressive 8-16 to 1-08 over Glasgow Gaels in Clydebank—1-13 to 2-09.

The game started evenly with both teams struggling to get to grips with each other. Stirling took an early 0-03 to no score lead after a two-pointer and a close-in free. Connollys responded with a well-taken score from centre back Cian Goggin and thereafter, started to control proceedings around the middle of the park, but they were unable to convert their possession into scores with some misplaced shooting.

Stirling extended their lead midway through the first-half, with a good score from Shane Colton being Connollys only response. With just 10 minutes remaining in the half Connollys struck for a great goal with interplay between Peter Nyland and Jamie Cunningham, who set up Darren O’Connor for a near finish. With only a point in it, Connollys had two goal-bound shots well saved by the Stirling keeper, Christopher Quinn, which closed out the half.

At the start of the second-half, Stirling came out of the blocks strongly and opened up a five-point lead after, with the scores coming from two two-pointers and a close in free. Stirling then stuck for their first goal of the game after a turnover. With an eight-point deficit the pressure was certainly on, but credit to Dunedin, and substitutes such as Conor Hurley who entered the fray, they almost managed to claw it back.

Paidraig Gibbons was sent off for Carrigans with 15 minutes to go for a second yellow card and after scores from Jamie Cunningham, Odhran Coll and 1-1 from the impressive Peter Nyland, Stirling were hanging on.

Connollys had a late chance to level the game, but it wasn’t to be with Stirling—whose star performer that day was Connlá McCarthy with (0-07)—running out worthy winners.

Dunedin got their campaign back on track with a 7-14 to 0-15 win over Dalriada in Dundee. Gaels did likewise with a victory over the same opposition by a scoreline of 5-8 to 1-09 at Clydebank.

Then came perhaps the tie of the competition so far as Gaels took on Harps at Clydebank with the winner likely emerging in pole position for one of the final slots.

Harps started brightly, and even after being reduced to 14 men following a second yellow card for Conor McIvor, they struck a huge blow when Andrew Shanahan weaved through Gaels’ defence before calmly slotting home a goal. Brian Morton, Cian Finnan and Emmet Magee had kept the scoreboard ticking over for Gaels, but Harps took a narrow lead, 1-05 to 0-06, into the break.

The second-half opened with Harps’ Phil Lambert landing a sensational two-point free from outside the 40-metre arc, but the away side’s discipline was tested again when Aedan Kerr saw black for a professional foul. Down to 13 men, Harps defended bravely as Gaels closed the gap, before Dan Gallagher steadied nerves with a crucial free.

With Kerr back on the field, Harps looked set to grind out a win. Gaels meanwhile kept chipping away at the lead and were seeking the goal that would edge them in front. It nearly came but for a world-class block by James Henry after a Mark McCarthy shot looked set to fizz its way towards the net. McCarthy, however, would not be denied and after a high ball into the square wasn’t cleared, he pounced to snatch a vital goal and a one-point lead.

The drama didn’t end there though as Gallagher’s long-range free from beyond the 40 meter arc dropped just short, and in the dying moments Lambert had the chance to level, only to see his shot drift wide before the final whistle sounded and Gaels ran out 1-11 to 1-10 victors.

In the remaining matches, Gaels will take on Carrigans in Stirling, Harps are away to Dalriada and Connollys and Dalriada have a home tie against Carrigans. And every one of them is still in with a chance of intermediate glory!

PIC: CHRIS COLL