South West U23 Cup semi-final
St. James Aldergrove v Tir na nOg
A late scoring flurry from ace marksman, Aaron McNeilly edged Tir na nOg into the South West U23 Cup final when they overcame the challenge of St. James Aldergrove in Crumlin on Sunday.
It took extra time to separate these two well matched sides with the contest tied at 1-12 to 3-6 after an excellent 60 minutes football.
There was little between the sides throughout the contest with Eamon Og McAllister on target for the visitors early on and Conor Morris bringing the sides level for St. James to leave it 0-5 to 1-2 after 14 minutes.
Tir na nOg looked to be getting on top when a Ciaran O’Neill goal in the 23d minute moved Tir na nOg 2-4 to 0-6 ahead but a couple of Cormac McGarry points kept Al;dergrove in touch as they trailed 0-8 to 2-5 at the interval.
Tir na nOg extended their leads with a point on the restart but a Conall Hanna goal in the 12th minute brought the sides level and Aldergrove seemed to be gaining momentum.
St. James kicked three points on the bounce to move three in front by the 25th minute and looked to be heading for the final but Tir na nOg struck with a late goal to send the contest into extra time.
A Daryl Fagan point, four minutes into extra time moved Tir na nOg two in front before Conleth O’Toole pulled one back for the Crumlin side to close the gap to the minimum by the 5th minute.
At that stage of the contest Aaron McNeilly took the game by the horns and he kicked three unanswered points to put his side in a strong position four minutes into the second half before Conleth O’Toole replied for the team in Red to keep his sides hopes alive.
It was visitors Tir na nOg who would hold their nerve however with McNeilly on target again to send his side into the final where they will meet All Saints in what has the making of an excellent final.