FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament, semi-final
Fr Rocks 0-08-1-12 Four Masters
Theo Colhoun’s 59th minute goal put the seal on Four Masters third semi-final win in a row in the Ulster Minor Tournament as they saw off Fr Rocks 1-12-0-08 in this afternoon’s clash at the Shaw’s Road.
The holders were fastest from the traps with Oisin Doherty swinging over from an acute angle and Thomas Lenehan intercepting Kevin Muldoon’s pass and popping it over.
Lorcan McMurray replied for Cookstown when Eoin Long’s mark looked to be tailing wide until he gathered, and despite his initial effort coming off the large post, McMurray converted at the second time of asking and would tie up the scores two minutes later.
A foul Jack McElhone allowed Eoin Long to nudge Fr Rocks ahead for the first time- though Conor Gallagher McCahill produced an outstanding score almighty instantly and a converted Oisin Doherty free had the champions back in the ascendancy.
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McCahill doubled his account for the half with another fine attempt that sailed over but Four Masters would need to negotiate 10 minutes a man light when Kevin Muldoon was black carded for a pull-down in the middle of the field.
The numerical advantage didn’t hinder his team however and by the time Muldoon returned to proceedings his side were an extra point ahead thanks to Callum McCrea’s point.
McCrea closes out the half with another score to ensure the holders were primed for their third final appearance on the spin, leading 0-07-0-03 at the midway point.
Fr Rocks started the second period on the front-foot with four of the first five scores to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum.
Eoin Long converted a free and Karol Wawrynkiewicz shot over between a Conor Gallagher McCahill point for Four Masters.
A close range Lorcan McMurray free was followed minutes later by a fine Michael Lennon point to make it 0-08 0-07.
Four Masters steadied things again thanks to a converted mark from Thomas Lenehan in his last act before departing and Tomas Carr clipped over an angled point at near post midway through the second half.
Scores were traded as Yasin Baba’s point was cancelled out by Conor Gallagher McCahill’s converted free following a foul on Tiarnan McBride.
McCahill kicked his fifth of the afternoon to stretch his sides lead back to four and the insurance score arrived a minute from time.
Kevin Muldoon saw his shot parried by Sean Og Quinn, Theo Colhoun saw his follow-up blocked before poking to the net at the second time of asking to ensure his sides place in the New Year’s Day decider.
Things went from bad to worse for Fr Rocks when substitute Charlie Hawker was dismissed for an off the ball incident in added time. It would make little difference to the outcome however as Four Masters deservedly advanced to Wednesday’s final against Magherafelt.
Fr Rocks Cookstown:
S Og Quinn, S Corrigan, D McHugh, S McElkearney, C Mulligan, K Wawrynkiewicz (0-1), M Lennon (0-1), L Neeson, Y Baba (0-1), J McElhone, L McMurray (0-3, 0-1f), C Sheehy, S Devlin, E Long (0-2f), C Ward.
Subs: C Hawker for C Ward (29), C Ward for C McElkearney (59).
Four Masters:
L McCaughan, T Lenehan (0-2, 0-1m), D McGinty, E O’Neill, C Gavigan, C McCrea (0-2), A Quinn, Tomas Carr (0-1), T Colhoun (1-0), P McGonagle, Turlough Carr, K Muldoon, C Gallagher McCahill (0-5, 0-1f), T McBride, O Doherty (0-2, 0-1f).
Subs: D Griffin for T Lenehan (41), A McHugh for C Gavigan (53), T McGovern for P McGonagle (60+2).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)