Ulster 1-15 Connacht 2-09

Monaghan duo Paul Finlay and Thomas Freeman scored 1-08 between them as Ulster swept through to next weeks M Donnelly Interprovincial football final with a 1-15 to 2-09 victory over Connacht tonight in Ballybofey.

Two goals in the space of a minute-and-a-half for Connacht really set the visitors up nicely for this contest with the westerners holding a 2-02 to 0-02 lead after seven minutes.

Half-forward Andy Moran and full-forward Declan Maxwell were the goal getters with Mayos Moran slotting to the net following a well-weighted pass from Sean Armstrong, who was a late introduction for the absent Michael Meehan.

Maxwell continued Morans good early work by finding the net soon after, while Ulster kept in touch with points from Finlay and Cavans Ger Pierson.

With six points separating the sides, Connacht held a deserved lead but Ulster were quick to cut the gap thanks to fine individual scores from Freeman, who collected his first All-Star award last night, and Finlay. Indeed Ulster could have cut the deficit further but for some inaccuracy in front of the posts.

Points from Armstrong and Roscommons Karol Mannion restored Connachts two-goal advantage but Ulster were pressing hard and scores from DanÓgordon and Enda Muldoon cut the gap to four points, twelve minutes before the interval.

As the game ebbed and flowed, it was Connachts turn to exert control and Armstrong had an excellent goal chance snuffed out in the 27th-minute when Ulster goalkeeper James Reilly pulled off a superb save.

Both teams traded points before the interval but at half-time it was still John O Mahonys Connacht men who were in the ascendancy – they held a 2-05 to 0-08 advantage.

While the opening half lacked intensity, the second half promised much with Ulster firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. The home side stole the lead six and a half minutes into the half with a Finlay point and then a goal from the Monaghan half-forward after great assistance from Freeman, who pinged through a lovely long ball.

Although substitute Ger HenÓghan took the next Connacht score, this was a mere blip in a dominant Ulster patch which saw fine scores from Gordon, Kevin Cassidy, who fisted over, Armaghs Aaron Kernan and Freeman and Ulster held a 1-13 to 2-07 lead as the game entered the final quarter.

Connacht remained resilient but it was Ulster who looked the more potent. The visitors broke through for a goal chance with six minutes remaining following good work by Keith Higgins and HenÓghan but the Roscommon man could only watch on as Derrys All-Star full-back Kevin McCloy made a superb block.

At the opposite end, Ulster, last winners in 2004, continued to tag on the points to firmly seal a spot in next Saturdays Croke Park decider against Munster.

ULSTER: J Reilly; B Owens, K McCloy, K Lacey; A Kernan, C Gormley, K Cassidy; E Lennon, D Gordon; D Clerkin, S CavanÓgh, P Finlay; T Freeman, G Pierson, E Muldoon.

Subs used: C McFadden for Pierson (49 mins), C Toye for Clerkin (64).

CONNACHT: P Greene; C Harrison, F Hanley, J McKeon; D Meehan, D Blake, K Higgins; R McGarrity, B Cullinane; M Breheny, S Armstrong, A Moran; C Cregg, D Maxwell, K Mannion.

Subs used: G HenÓghan for Cregg (33 mins), F Dolan for Maxwell (45), M Finneran for Cullinane (54).

Referee: Pat Fox (Westmeath)

21-Oct-07 by RTE.ie

Its time to take a look at the League Tables and see how things have progressed over the weeks since our last roundup on Podcast 6 with Declan Bohan. The first of the League finals is this Sunday and its in Division 3 between Drumkeerin and Dromahaire.

Division 1

Melvin Gaels currently hold the top place followed closely by County Senior Champions St. Marys and last years Intermediate Champions Carrigallen. Both the Gaels and Carrigallen are playing their last game this weekend against middle of the table placings Mohill and Bornacoola respectively. St. Marys are facing Glencar Manorhamilton in their penultimate game. All results will be pivotal in deciding the placings as they head into the final straight but with St. Marys having an extra game they must hold the strongest hand. Bornacoola and Glencar Manor can end on equal points for second positions but the score difference will probably rule them out. If St. Marys can get themselves together after last weekends disappointing Connacht performance then they are favourites to make it to the final and the chance to make it a double title.

Division 2

Current table toppers Sean O Heslins are finished their games and now await the proceedings of this weekend as the sole fixture is between Annaduff and Aughnasheelin who currently lie third. If Aughnasheelin lose or draw then the final parings are decided as second place Gortletteragh are guaranteed to be in the mix with Sean O Heslins. A win for Aughnasheelin will mean that Gortletteragh must play their outstanding game to decide the final pairings.

Division 3

This is a fait accompli as the final is this weekend Drumkeerin meet Dromahaire on Sunday at 2pm in Pairc Sean. Both teams have performed admirably in the League and have only lost 3 games between them. Drunkeerin however top the table and their 91 points score difference show that their forwards and defence are well tuned. Dromahaire have it all to do in this local derby on Sunday.

Division 4

This division wont be going to final stages anythime soon as there are 16 games unplayed with 2 of them scheduled for this weekend. Each of the games could prove crucial as there are 2 teams at the top, Carrigalen and Annaduff, with 3 to 4 others in hot pursuit. score difference may prove to be a big decider over the next few weeks. This Sunday Kiltubrid play Cloone and Annauff play Ballinaglera and this may make the picture clearer.

Division 5

Teams in division 5 cannot complain about not getting enough games as the competition is based around a total of 91 league games and thankfully 80 have been played to date. Dromahaire are the clear table leaders with all their games played and they are 5 points clear of St. Caillins and St. Marys who lie on 20 points each. St. Caillins have 1 game to play and this is scheduled for this weekend against Gortletteragh on Sunday at 1pm. This will determine of they need to force St. Marys to win their remaining 2 games as St. Marys penultimate fixture is also fixed for Sunday against Glencar Manorhamilton.

19-Oct-07 by Brendan Doyle – PRO