GALWAY SHC SEMI-FINAL Loughrea 0-16 Mullagh 0-15: THERE WAS a controversial finish in Athenry with ref Christy Helebert requiring a Garda escort at the end of a heated encounter.
Loughrea booked their passage to their fourth final in seven years – against Portumna – when Neil Keary converted a free in the closing seconds of stoppage-time.
The free was awarded after Alan Gaynor was adjudged to have fouled the ball and angry Mullagh supporters vented their anger.
The contest was heated from the outset and both sides were reduced to 14 men after 10 minutes when Nigel Shaughnessy and Cathal Hardiman received straight red cards after an altercation.
LOUGHREA: S Morgan; Eoin Mahony, D McClearn, D Melia; J Dooley, N Shaughnessy (0-1), T Regan; G Keary, B Mahony; B Dooley, V Maher, J Coen (0-1); J Maher (0-2), J O'Loughlin, N Keary (0-11, 9 frees, 1 65). Subs: Emmett Mahony (0-1)for Dooley (24 mins); P Hoban for Eoin Mahony (52); R Regan for Emmett Mahony (54); S Cusack for J Dooley (59).
MULLAGH: E Ward; D Clarke, A Gaynor, N Mannion; C Hardiman, Conor Dervan (0-2), J Rafferty; N Cahalan (0-5, 2 frees), K Briscoe (0-1); F Hardiman, Cathal Dervan (0-2), D Glennon; A Whyte (0-3), F Coone, D Reilly (0-2).
Referee: C Helebert.
