Kilmore are the Mulryan Construction Roscommon Intermediate Football Champions following a 2-16 to 1-11 Extra Time win over Oran in Strokestown.
Picture Credit: Roscommon GAA
Like the drawn game Kilmore got off to a slow start and Oran excelled. This time they scored 1-5 in the opening eight minutes and once again it was Shane Regan who got the opening score, a goal in the opening minute. That was followed by points from Adrian Cassidy, Kieran Whyte and another from Regan himself.
Kilmore’s first score came courtesy of a Paul Garvey free from close range in the 10th minute. Garvey added another free from a similar position three minutes later. Then Derek Connellan kicked two frees before it was Paul Garvey’s turn to slot one over. Derek Connellan kicked his third of the afternoon in the 22nd minute and Kilmore had reduced the deficit to two points. Moments later up stepped Adrian Cassidy with two further frees to steady the ship for Oran again. Colm Garvey responded from play in injury time to leave it Oran 1-7 Kilmore 0-7 at the interval.
Neck and neck
The second half started much differently to the first. Adrian Cassidy opened the scoring with a free, Dara Feely and Paul Garvey hit back for Kilmore before Cathal Kenny put three between the sides again with a point in the 37th minute. The forwards took a breather for the seven minutes that followed until Paul Garvey raised a white flag with another free in the 44th minute. Jack Casserly put three between the sides moments later before Garvey’s fifth pointed free of the afternoon to make it Oran 1-10 Kilmore 0-11.
The remaining 10 minutes were tense and scoreless. Three minutes of additional time was announced in in the first of those a Derek Connellan free reduced Oran’s lead to a solitary point. Paul Garvey equalised in the 63rd minute from a free to send the game to Extra Time: Oran 1-10 Kilmore 0-13
Extra Time
Derek Connellan opened the scoring with a free in the third minute before Ray Farrell tied the game again. A Gary Connellan goal in the 69th minute put Kilmore into the lead for the first time in the game. John Donohoe then added a point two minutes later to give them a 1-15 to 1-11 advantage at half-time in Extra Time.
After the break it took four minutes for the opening score to arrive. A Paul Garvey free, his seventh of the afternoon stretched Kilmore’s lead to five. Three minutes later a row broke out and both sides were reduced to 13 men. Cathal and Paul Kenny saw Red for Oran along with Kilmore’ Colm Garvey and Dermot Foley.
The stoppage did nothing to deter Kilmore’s grasp on the game and in the last minute of extra time Paul Garvey sent the ball to the back of the Oran net. Three minutes of additional time followed but there was note late response from Oran. Final score Kilmore 2-16 Oran 1-11.
In addition to collecting the Man of the Match Award Paul Garvey finished as top scorer in the Intermediate Championship.
The celebrations will be put on ice as the champions are scheduled to play Monivea in the Connacht Club Championship tomorrow at 1pm in Tuam Stadium.