St Mullins need extra time finally shake off gritty Bagenalstown
St Mullins eventually found a way past Bagenalstown Gaels this evening in Netwatch Cullen Park Photo: Pat Ahern
It needed extra time to divide the sides as the Gods conspired against Bagenalstown Gaels this evening in this senior hurling semi-final replay at Netwatch Cullen Park. While St Mullins were worthy winners their rivals didn’t get a break against a side who struggled at times.
Conor Kehoe scored an early St Mullins goal after Craig Doyle had posted a Gaels point who kept driving forward. Much of the good they did was undone by a series of wides which amounted to eight by the interval.
Doyle went on to add two more points from frees as St Mullins led 1-7 to 0-9 at the change of ends.
Bagenalstown lost Darragh Nolan to injury at half-time and the centre half who scored three long distance frees was badly missed. When James Doyle scored the second St Mullins goal, it looked as if they were going to cruise to victory.
With time running out Jamie Clarke kicked the sliotar to the St Mullins net and Doyle converted two frees to level.
The outsiders pressed and attacked down at the tunnel end. They could well have found a winner but referee, David Hickey blew for full-time only seconds after the 60 minutes were played with the score at 2-13 to 1-16.
A relieved St Mullins outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-1 in the extra-time with Kehoe netting once more to send St Mullins into another final where they will play old rivals Mount Leinster Rangers on Sunday 11 August.
