New frontiers for Knockbeg

Colleges football All-Ireland senior semi final/ Knockbeg 0-12 Omagh CBS 1-8 (AET): Knockbeg College qualified for their first…

Colleges football All-Ireland senior semi final/ Knockbeg 0-12 Omagh CBS 1-8 (AET): Knockbeg College qualified for their first All-Ireland senior final with a one-point win, after extra-time, over Omagh CBS at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday.

The Carlow college looked to be in trouble in the early stages of this semi-final, trailing by 1-3 to 0-0 after the opening quarter.

A goal from Conor O'Donnell for the McCrory Cup holders supplemented points from Kevin Gallagher and Cathal McCarron.

Knockbeg hit back to be on level terms by half-time, 0-6 to 1-3, with points from David Conway, Seán O'Shea and Laois senior player Donie Brennan.

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Knockbeg maintained their form in the second half and took the lead in the 40th minute through Simon Shortall's point.

Omagh hit back and Stephen Donaghy's point three minutes from time brought the game to extra-time. The Tyrone side took the lead in extra-time with a point from Cathal McCarron but two Conway points put the Leinster champions in front and Omagh were dealt a blow when Cahir Tierney was sent off.

At half-time of extra-time, Knockbeg held a 0-12 to 1-7 lead and the only score of the second half was a point from Seán O'Neill of Omagh.

KNOCKBEG COLLEGE: C Munnelly; J Whyte, P Flemming, D Kelly; D Lynskey, P Malone, S Shortall (0-1); C Doran, B O'Shea; P Byrne (0-1), D Brennan (0-1), S Ramsbottom; S O'Shea (0-3), J Brennan, D Conway (0-6). Sub: K Smith for Lynskey.

OMAGH CBS: K Winters; G Haughey, J Cassidy, J Kelly; D O'Neill (0-1), B Martin, N Cassidy; Seán O'Neill (0-2), C Tierney; S Donaghy (0-1), R McRory, H Gallagher; K Gallagher (0-1), C McCarron (0-3), C O'Donnell (1-0). Sub: S O'Neill for Haughey.

Referee: J Bannon (Longford).