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O'Hanrahan's rally late

Carlow champions O'Hanrahan's qualified for their first ever Leinster Senior Football final as a result of a dramatic victory…

Mon Nov 20 2000 - 00:00

Carlow champions O'Hanrahan's qualified for their first ever Leinster Senior Football final as a result of a dramatic victory over Kildare champions Moorefield at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

A strong breeze favoured the Carlow champions in the opening half and two points from centre forward Pa Kavanagh put them ahead after five minutes. A great point from a free from Pat Murray opened the Kildare account but O'Hanrahan's added two more points from Brian Walker and Anthony Kavanagh to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 12 minutes.

Two points in succession from Murray and another from centrefield player Ronan Sweeney had the sides level after 25 mins. O'Hanrahan's finished the half the stronger and two great points from David Bermingham and Pa Kavanagh put them ahead 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.

On the changeover, Moorefield, with points from Brian McGrogan and Murray had matters level after five mins of play. O'Hanrahan's struck again with two great points from Bermingham and Walker. Moorefield recovered and points from Ronan Sweeney and Pat Behan levelled matters again after 43 mins.

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O'Hanrahans regained the lead with a well-taken point from centrefield player Philip Nolan; but the sides were level again with a great point from a free by Murray.

Five minutes from full time, Moorefield centre half back Ken Walker gave his side the lead for the first time and when Pat Murray put two between them a minute from the end of normal time, it looked as if Moorefield would reach their first final.

However, in two dramatic minutes of injury time, O'Hanrahan's levelled with a point from Pa Kavanagh from a free and a minute later a superb point by Brian Walker regained the lead and gave them a place in the final against reigning champions Na Fianna.

O'HANRAHANS: J Brennan; B English, A Corden, N English; B Hannon, K Walker, K Kavanagh; P Nolan (0-1), A Bowe; G Walker, P Kavanagh (0-5), D Bermingham (0-2); B Walker (0-3), A Kavanagh (0-1), S Farrell.

MOOREFIELD: P Canavan; D Barry, M Ryan, S Murray; J Murphy, K Duane (0-1), N Buckley; S White, R Sweeney (0- 2); P Murray (0-5), S Dowling, K O'Neill; B McGrogan (0-1), P Behan (0-1), C O'Neill. Sub: M Murray (0-1) for C O'Neill; B Behan for K O'Neill.

Referee: P McGann (Westmeath).