South Antrim B Féile Hurling roundup
St Gall’s
By Kevin Herron
South Antrim’s B Féile hurling semi-finalists were confirmed on Sunday as Brid Og defeated St Galls in the outstanding fixture of the group stage to claim their spot in the last four.
Sarsfields and St John’s were already confirmed semi-finalists but the group containing St Galls, Lámh Dhearg, Brid Og and Rossa was a little more complex.
Going into Sunday’s encounter between St Gall’s and Brid Og there were three teams battling for the remaining two semi-final spots.
St Gall’s occupied top spot with two wins over Rossa and Lámh Dhearg from last Sundays fixtures at St. Mary’s CBGS while Lámh Dhearg sat in second but were hoping for St Gall’s victory having completed their group campaign on Wednesday evening.
The Hannahstown men defeated Rossa and were beaten by St Gall’s last weekend before they hosted Brig Og at a sunny Hannahstown on Wednesday evening.
Fintan Cleary gave the visitors an early lead but Adam Murray converted a free just before the break to draw the side’s level at 0-01-0-01.
Two minutes into the second half Lámh Dhearg hit the front when another free from Murray fortuitously dropped over Eoghan O’Mannion and into the net to put his side 1-01-0-01 ahead.
Brian McGurk was upended shortly afterwards and Cleary converted a free to close the gap – but with little over five minutes on the clock the Lámhs found their second goal of the game.
Conall McGuigan picked up the ball in midfield and drove forward on a terrific solo run that ended in him firing past O’Mannion to make it 2-01-0-02.
Adam Murray converted a free in the aftermath and Lámh Dhearg ran out 2-02-0-02 winners to occupy second spot but a Brid Og victory over St Galls by more than two-points would displace them.
Brid Og had beaten Rossa 1-10-1-02 and after defeat to Lámh Dhearg they knew that only a win by three-points or more would be enough to see them into semi-finals.
The Milltown clash with a closely contested encounter than saw Brid Og lead 2-00-1-04 going in the dying embers – Fintan Cleary and Brian McGurk goals helped their side into a winning position but 1-04 from dual star Niall Fallon kept his side in contention.
However late goals from Piarais Hamill and Carl Mooney gave Brid Og a five-point win and in the process took them above Lámh Dhearg into second place in a congested three-way tie at the summit.
Wednesday evenings semi-finals will see table topping St Galls host St John’s at Milltown (6.15 throw-in) while table toppers from the other group – Sarsfields host Brid Og at Stewartstown (6.15 throw-in) to see who will progress to the B-final at Colaiste Feirste next Sunday.