Naomh Éanna booked a date at Croke Park in three weeks time in the All Ireland Intermediate Football Championship Final after a resounding 3-9 to 0-11 victory over Galway and Connacht champions An Spidéal at Páirc Tailteann. Seven points separated the sides at the end but there was no denying the merit of the Belfast sides win. Three goals in the opening half put Naomh Éanna in control. Kristian Healy’s effort in the 8th minute settling them into the game before Ruirái Scott opened daylight in the 20th minute. The third goal however was the game changer. An Spidéal goalkeeper Maghnus Breathnach was dispossessed 60 yards from his own goal, having made a trade mark run up the field and he was then forced to watch midfielder Joe Maskey launch the ball into the empty net. Leading by 3-4 to 0-7 at half-time, the Antrim and Ulster champions never looked back.
Despite An Spidéal threatening a comeback at the start of the second half, Naomh Éanna always remained in control. An Spidéal had their moments and both Antaine Ó Laoi and Cormac Lee finished with 0-7 between them from frees but the Naomh Éanna defence were immense. Every time An Spidéal raised a white flag Naomh Eanna responded, with the Galway side's frustrations eventually leading to a lare red card for Ciarán Ó Laoi. The Naomh Éanna men now have an All-Ireland final to look forward to with Kilcummin from Kerry, while An Spideal's incredible run comes to an end.
After the game Galway Bay FM analyst John Davin told Tommy Devane the best side won...
https://galwaybayfmsports.podbean.com/mf/play/x96qww/Spideal_match_finish.mp3
An Spidéal: Maghnus Breathnach; Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Éamon Ó Conláin, Liam Kelly; Ciarán Ó Laoi, Michéal Ó Curraoin, Séamus Ó Droighneáin; Dara Mac an Rí, Pádraig Eoin Ó Curraoin; Séan Ó Curraoin, Antaine Ó Laoi, Liam Ó Conghaile; Brian Connolly, Cormac Lee, Conal Ó Caoimh.
Subs: Brian Mac Cathmhaoil for E Ó Droighneáin (black card 44); Aodán Ó Curraoin for L Ó Conghaile (54); Aodán Ó Croighneáin for C Ó Caoimh (black card 60)
Naomh Éanna: Paddy Flood; Killian Jennings, Damien Gault, Mick McNamee; Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Conor McAuley; Ethan Gibson, Joe Maskey; Peter Healy, Ruiraí Scott, Kristian Healy; Michael Morgan, Odhran Eastwood, Eoin Nagle.
Subs: Ciarán O’Neill for M Morgan (HT); Philly Curran for E Gibson (60); Donal Walsh for O Eastwood (60)
Scorers: Odhran Eastwood 0-7 (6 f’s); Ruirái Scott 1-1; Joe Maskey 1-00; Kristian Healy 1-00; Eoin Nagle 0-1
