An Spideal crowned Connacht Intermediate football champions

An enthralling battle at Tuam Stadium yesterday saw An Spidéal become the first Galway club to become Connacht Intermediate Football champions since 2010, as they held off a second-half comeback from Fuerty to edge out the Roscommon men by a single point. The game burst into life with a stunning solo run and goal from Finnian Ó Laoí after just two minutes, and An Spideál had a 1-9 to 0-7 half-time lead after Fuerty lost Philip Neilan to a straight red card shortly before the interval. Fuerty rallied though with five points in succession after half-time, the last of which was scored after An Spideal's Éamon Ó Conláin picked up his second yellow card to leave both sides down to 14 men. Thirteen of Fuerty's sixteen points came from the placed ball, with all but one being scored by their dynamic inside duo Niall Kilroy and Gearoid Ennis. In total contrast An Spideal scored 1-11 from play, with Man of the Match Antoine O'Laoi landing 0-4 in another brilliant display. The sides were level at 1-12 to 0-15 heading into the closing stages before points from Antoine O'Laoi and Padraig Ooin O'Curraoin edged the Galway men 2 points clear, and although Fuerty narrowed the gap during the six added minutes of stoppage time a last gasp effort to force extra time went agonisingly wide. The final whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration for the huge crowd supporting An Spideal, who now march on to an All Ireland semi final meeting with either Naomh Éanna (Antrim) or Mullahoran (Cavan)

Scorers - An Spidéal: A Ó Laoí 0-4 (1f), F Ó Laoí 1-0, S Ó'Curraoín, Cormac Ó Laoí, M Breathnach (2f) 0-2 each, B Ó'Conghaíle, D Mac an Rí, S Ó Droighneáin, PE Ó Curraoín 0-1 each. Fuerty: G Ennis 0-9 (7f, 1 '45), N Kilroy 0-6 (5f), B McGahan 0-1.

An Spidéal - M Breathnach; É Ó Conláin, L Ó Ceallaigh, C Ó Caoimh; E Ó'Droighneáin, M Ó Curraoín, Ciarán Ó Laoí; PE Ó Curraoín, D Mac an Rí; S Ó Droighneáin, A Ó Laoí, F Ó Laoí; B Ó Conghaíle, Cormac Ó'Laoí, S Ó'Curraoín. Subs: L Ó Conghaíle for S Ó Droighneáin (48), A Ó Curraoín for S Ó Curraoín (53) C Ó Droighneáin for Ciarán Ó Laoí (60+2).

Fuerty - L Byrne; A Whyte, T Bannon, M Ward; B McGahan, J Brennan, P Kellehan; P Neilan, N Keenan; O Lyons, E Bannon, C Murray; A Lyons, N Kilroy, G Ennis. Subs: D Heavey for McGahan (HT), R Fallon for Murray (35), C Leahy for Keenan (41, black card), Murray for A Lyons (58, black card), McGahan for Ward (60+2)

After the game Tommy Devane spoke to Donal O'Fathartha from the management team of An Spideal...

https://galwaybayfmsports.podbean.com/mf/play/p7zz4f/DONAL_O_FATHARTA.mp3