Mayo IFC: Islandeady prevail after epic encounter

Islandeady advanced to the last four of the Mayo GAA Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship following a deserved 2-21 to 2-13 victory over Kiltane in a quarterfinal replay in Parke, writes Aiden Henry.

While it took extra time to decide the outcome of this epic encounter, few could argue with the assertion that Islandeady were by far the better team on the day.

Although having the lion’s share of possession, Islandeady found it difficult to convert this advantage into scores and, as a result, looked at different stages as they might rue their many missed chances. Indeed, it took a magnificent goal from Brendan Gibbons deep into injury time to draw Islandeady level and force extra time.

However, in extra time, Islandeady were the masters, outscoring their opponents by 1-6 to 0-1 to run out the convincing winners in the end.

Overall, it was a highly entertaining and hard-fought battle throughout. While Kiltane were making the most of their scoring chances, Islandeady were struggling to turn good opportunities into scores, especially in the opening half, when they recorded 11 wides.

Yet, Islandeady did manage to score six first-half points, despite playing into the wind. Darragh Joyce accounted for three of them, with Ryan McNamara (two) and Zac Collins also raising white flags.

At the other end of the field, Kiltane also managed to raise six white flags in the opening 30 minutes. But, more importantly, they also raised two green flags, with the goals coming from Charlie Ginnelly and Josh Carey, which left them leading by 2-6 to 0-6 at the interval.

This was despite the fact they played with 14 players for 10 minutes of the half after they had James Conroy black-carded.

On the resumption, Islandeady continued to press forward and by the end of the third quarter they had narrowed the gap to four points after they outscored Kiltane by 0-4 to 0-2. But a minute into the last quarter, the gap was down to two after a great two-pointer from Darragh O’Malley.

As the final quarter progressed, Kiltane continued to have the edge as far as the scoreboard was concerned as they kept popping up with points every time Islandeady closed in on them. Indeed, it looked as if it was their day a minute into injury time when Josh Carey put them three in front. Only a goal would save Islandeady now.

Right on cue, that goal arrived a minute later when Brendan Gibbons buried the ball in the back of the net after Zac Collins' effort was blocked down.

Into extra time we went, and really there was only one team in it. In the first 10 minutes, Islandeady kicked three great points to their opponents' one.

They continued to dominate fully in the second period of extra time and made it game, set and match with five minutes remaining after man of the match Seamie Lally scored a magnificent goal.

Islandeady move on to the semi-finals, where they are due to play Davitts next weekend.

*See Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph for a full report