Galls progress after Extra Time

AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Prelim Rd:
Cavan Gaels 1-10  St Galls 1-12 (AET)

Antrim’s St Gall’s made it into the quarter-final of the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship on Sunday but only just as they needed extra-time to see off the challenge of Cavan champions Cavan Gaels on a score of 1-12 to 1-10.

The men from the Breffni County had beaten St Gall’s at the quarter-final stage of last year’s provincial competition leaving the Antrim men hungry for revenge, but they came close to being left with empty stomachs again at Kingspan Breffni Park before eventually progressing.

After an even beginning, Cavan Gaels quickly went into the ascendancy and it looked like they might get one over on the Antrim side once again. Nicholas Walsh, who had been a doubt for the game with a hamstring problem, moved to leave St Gall’s hamstrung with the game’s opening goal.

That helped Gaels to a four-point lead at half-time as they went in 1-3 to 0-2 ahead but a strong Gall’s side came roaring back after the break and Gaels were not helped by losing a man in the second half.

Gaels had gone six points clear after the break but it all started to unfold and Lenny Harbinson’s men pounced to force the extra-time. The Cavan men had Eamon Reilly sent off and CJ McGourty rammed home a penalty to leave Gaels deflated as the regulation time ended with the score at 1-7 apiece.

Gaels’ full compliment was restored to 15 for the extra period, but unfortunately it did not stay that way as Anthony Forde, Walsh and Karl Crotty were also sent off.

With the advantage of extra men Gall’s just made it over the line, their five extra-time points guiding them into a provincial quarter-final against Pearse Og, who won the Armagh Club SFC with a win over Armagh Harps on Sunday.

(Picture: antrim.gaa.ie)