Sport

Cool O'Hara earns draw

A late pressure free, converted by 17-year-old Richard O'Hara, gave An Cheathru Rua a deserved draw against Killererin in a tense…

Mon Sept 20 1999 - 01:00

A late pressure free, converted by 17-year-old Richard O'Hara, gave An Cheathru Rua a deserved draw against Killererin in a tense, hard-fought Galway football final at Tuam Stadium yesterday.

Three pointed frees by Galway star Tommy Joyce, including a magnificent effort from way out on the left sideline, saw Killererin hold a narrow lead after the first quarter with Gearoid O Conghaile and Richard O'Hara from a free keeping the Carraroe side in touch. The Connemara side turned the deficit into a one point lead through scores by O Domhnaill and a Richard O'Hara free just before halftime.

However, they were rocked by a late Killererin goal when the Joyce brothers combined to create an opening for Tommy Ryder to fire home from 10 yards to give the North Galway side a 1-3 to 0-4 lead.

An Cheathru Rua hit back immediately when Sean Og de Paor broke upfield and kicked a superb point. Points by substitute Padraig O Lorcain and Micheal O Domhnaill put Carraroe ahead against the breeze but their advantage was short-lived as the Joyce brothers combined for two points both scored by Padraig.

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A fine point by Sean Og de Paor brought the sides level again at the three-quarter stage but they missed some good chances of taking the lead and they were punished when Tommy Joyce scored a tremendous point at the other end.

An Cheathru Rua put in a fighting finish and when Padraig O Lorcain was fouled 17 year-old corner forward Richard O'Hara kept his nerve and kicked the equalising point from a free.

KILLERERIN: A Keane; S Mannion, T Mannion, K Courtney; P Miskell, O Wilson, G Curran; J Wilson, M Birmingham; M Mitchell, T Joyce (0-4), T Wilson; T Ryder (1-0), P Joyce (0-2), J Murphy. Subs: P Mitchell for Murphy, T MCHugh for M Mitchell.

AN CHEATHRU RUA: P Comer; M O Conghaile, P MacDonncha, D O Flatharta; M A O Loideain, M O'Domhnaill (0-1), S Og de Paor (0-2); S O Neachatain, S O Domhanaill (0-1); P O Se, M O Lorcain, G O Conghaile (0-1); R O hEadhra (0-3), C MacDonncha, I O Se. Subs: P O Lorcain for P O Se; P J Conghaile for I O Se; C De Paor for M O Lorcain.

Referee: M Gibbons (Oughterard).