McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final

Truagh 2-13 Currin 1-12                              5/10/13

Truagh won the battle of last year’s relegated senior teams in the second IFC semi-final at Clontibret on Saturday. Despite having to play without central players Ciarán McCaffrey and Francis O’Callaghan, Currin recovered from a slow start to push the league leaders all the way, but a late goal by Niall Coyle sent Truagh into a north-Monaghan derby in Sunday week’s final. Coyle, Daniel and Pádraig McKenna and Adam Treanor were to the fore for Truagh, while Dick Clerkin, Philip O’Callaghan, Enda McCaffrey and Jack McCarron were best for Currin.

Currin drew first blood through Philip O’Callaghan after a Jack McCarron ’45 dropped short, but a foul on Eoghan Kelly allowed Daniel McKenna to get Truagh off the mark from a 25-metre free and the full-forward quickly doubled his account with a well-taken point from play after good work by Pádraig McKenna and Kelly. Mark Counihan doubled Truagh’s lead at the end of a strong run and although O’Callaghan replied with a good point, Pádraig McKenna released John Treanor to tap over, before Daniel McKenna converted a 30-metre free for a foul on Adam Treanor.

Dick Clerkin ended 16 scoreless minutes for Currin, only for Adam Treanor to land a nice point with his left foot to keep Truagh on top. Clerkin then burst through for an inspirational point, however, before an O’Callaghan shot fell for McCarron, who dummied his marker and slotted home the opening goal. O’Callaghan won and scored a 20-metre free, but a fine point by Daniel McKenna sent Truagh in level at 0-8 to 1-5.

Currin started the second half brightly, as McCarron converted a 30-metre free for a foul on Gerard O’Callaghan, before Stephen Smyth sent over a point from distance. Adam Treanor replied for Truagh, who drew level when Christopher McKenna landed a 30-metre free after a foul on Counihan. A foul on Rory Treanor allowed the same player to convert a sweetly-struck 45-metre free, but McCarron responded from a brace of frees after fouls on himself and his cousin, Dick Clerkin.

Adam Treanor then continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form after a long ball from Pádraig McKenna had picked out Seán McKenna, before another long delivery by Niall Coyle set up Counihan to open up a three-point gap. Currin refused to give up, as Niall McEntee linked up with McCarron to split the posts, before Philip O’Callaghan made it a one-point game. A well-taken score by Smyth levelled it up and Christopher McKenna saw a free hit an upright at the other end, as the game built to a tense finish. Truagh struck for the decisive score two minutes from time when Daniel McKenna sent in a high ball, which fell for Coyle to crash to the net, and they got their insurance point when Adam Treanor and Daniel Finnegan combined to create the opening for Seán McKenna.

Truagh: I Treanor; J McCarron, N McQuillan, N Feely; P McKenna, R Treanor, N Coyle (1-0); N McRory, B Cuddy; C McKenna (0-2f), J Treanor (0-1), E Kelly; A Treanor (1-2), D McKenna (0-5, 2f), M Counihan (0-2).

Subs: M Treanor for I Treanor (inj., 12 mins), K Sheerin for J Treanor (30 + 4), S McKenna (0-1) for Kelly (42), P Treanor (Capt.) for McRory (58), D Finnegan for Counihan (60).

Currin: F Connolly; D Brady, Conor McCaffrey, S Brady; S O’Connor, B Clerkin, E McCaffrey; D Clerkin (0-2), K Kearns; G O’Callaghan, N McEntee (0-1), S Smyth (0-2); J McCarron (1-3, 0-3f), P O’Callaghan (0-4, 1f), P McDermott.

Subs: M Quigley for McDermott (44), C North for Kearns (60).

Referee: A Marron (Corduff).