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Watson inspirational as Loughgiel walk tall

ALL-IRELAND CLUB SHC SEMI-FINALS: Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-27 Na Piarsaigh 2-13 AET – 0-18 to 2-12 after normal time: LOUGHGIEL…

Mon Feb 13 2012 - 00:00

ALL-IRELAND CLUB SHC SEMI-FINALS: Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-27 Na Piarsaigh 2-13 AET – 0-18 to 2-12 after normal time:LOUGHGIEL BATTLED bravely to secure a place in their first All-Ireland club final since 1983, following extra-time on Saturday afternoon at Parnell Park.

Liam Watson was the Ulster champions’ hero firing 16 points, six of those in extra-time to ensure a final place after a dramatic encounter.

Six points clear with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, PJ Mullan’s side looked on course for victory. But Na Piarsaigh outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-1 in the closing stages, with 1-1 of this coming in injury-time.

Substitute Robert Sheehan breached a crowded goalmouth to tie the contest after 62 minutes before a Kevin Downes point less than a minute later forced the game into extra-time.

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Earlier little separated the clubs in the opening 17 minutes, with the sides tied on five occasions – Watson’s third point ensuring a 0-5 all score-line.

Loughgiel added six further unanswered scores by the 29th minute to take a 0-11 to 0-5 lead.

However, David Breen nipped through for a goal just before the break to cut the deficit to three points at the interval.

Loughgiel opened up a 0-17 to 1-8 lead, before a sterling Na Piarsaigh finish forced extra-time.

Loughgiel showed greater hunger in extra-time, holding their opponents to just one point – an Adrian Breen effort – which cancelled out Watson’s 11th score.

Breen was Na Piarsaigh’s most dangerous player during extra-time, forcing a goal chance in the eighth minute of the opening half, and also sending another effort wide four minutes after the restart.

However, Loughgiel were solid defensively while at the opposite end Watson, Joey Scullion and Brendan McCarry tagged on late scores for the eventual victors.

LOUGHGIEL: D Quinn; P Gillan, N McGarry, R McCloskey; J Campbell, M Scullion, J Campbell; B McAuley, M McFadden (0-1); L Watson (0-16, 9f, 1 65), Declan Laverty (0-2), E McCloskey (0-3); B McCarry (0-2), J Scullion (0-3), S Casey. Subs: D McCloskey for Declan Laverty (47 mins); T McCloskey for McFadden, Declan Laverty for McFadden (both 60 mins); Damian Laverty for Casey (75 mins).

NA PIARSAIGH: P Kennedy; D Lynch, K Breen, K Bermingham; A Dempsey, J O'Brien, B Hartnett; C King (0-1), P Gleeson (0-1); S Dowling (0-6, 4f, 2 65s), D Breen (1-2), S O'Neill (0-1); K Kennedy, K Downes (0-1), K Ryan. Subs: A Breen (0-1) for K Breen (29 mins); J Madden for Gleeson (58 mins), R Sheehan (1-0) for O'Neill (60).

Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).