Pearses 2-15 Oranmore-Maree 1-13: This Junior B Quarter-Final, played under lights in Duggan Park yesterday evening, was in the balance until six minutes from the end. A late scoring burst, inspired by Kealan Beckett, seen Pearses through to the Semi-Finals.
Despite as slow start, Pearses led 0-2 (Robbie Donnellan and Lee Murphy) to 0-1 after eight minutes. The score was level six times in the first-half, neither team giving an inch. Further points from Aidan Kilkenny and Niall Skehill were swapped with three from Oranmore-Maree. At the end of the first quarter, it was 0-4 each. The teams continued score for score until half-time. Two well worked scores from Conor O’Grady and another from Robbie Donnellan seen Pearses back in the lead. Two-in-row from Oranmore-Maree put their noses ahead at the halfway mark, 0-8 to 0-7.
Oranmore-Maree opened a two point gap for the first time just after the break, but it lasted only a minute as Aidan Kilkenny hit his second point. Then substitute Kealan Beckett made his first contribution. He burst through from the right wing to create a goal chance, which Niall Skehill sent to the back of the net. Lee Murphy and Robbie Donnellan added two points as Pearses went four clear, 1-10 to 0-9. A significant lead in a game so tight.
Oranmore-Maree fought their way back, nicking 1-2 of their own. The goal deflected to the net, wrong-footing keeper Pandamp;aacute;raic Hillary. The sides were now level again after 45 minutes. Pearses were leading 1-13 to 1-12, when the late turning point arrived nine minutes later. Kealan Beckett goaled himself this time after a similar break from wing-forward. Pearses were four to the good again. An Oranmore-Maree 21-yard-free blazed over the bar, as they went in search of goals. Red cards were issued to Aidan Kilkenny and the Oranmore-Maree full-back after an altercation. Points from Niall Skehill and a long range Robbie Donnellan special sealed the win.
Pearses: P Hillary; A Naughton, P Raftery, J Jenkins; B Egan, D Wynne, P Lally; P Moore, N Skehill (1-3); L Murphy (0-3), A Kilkenny (0-2), L Morrissey; C O’Grady (0-2), R Donnellan (0-4), R Skehill. Subs used: K Beckett (1-1), G Hennelly, D Kelly.