Crossmolina blow Caragh away to book All-Ireland final spot
Crossmolina’s Lorcan Loftus, below, in action against Carragh’s Dan Lynam during the AIB Club IFC semi-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford this afternoon. Picture: David Farrell Photography
A tour-de-force by Jordan Flynn powered Crossmolina into an All-Ireland intermediate club football final following a convincing 1-12 to 0-6 win over Kildare and Leinster champions Caragh in Longford this afternoon.
James Maheady and Diarmuid Coggins put Crossmolina ahead before quickfire points by Caragh duo Josh Gannon and Eoghan O’Haire levelled the contest on 12 minutes The defining moment of the half came on 12 minutes when referee Kieran Eannatta signalled for a penalty after Matthew McNally touched the ball on the edge of the line while on the ground and Conor Loftus made no mistake from the spot, who then followed it up with a stunner off the outside of his boot.
Loftus and county teammate Jordan Flynn were running the show and Flynn sent over a brilliant score on 19 minutes but Caragh got stronger as the half went, with Darragh Swords and a fortuitous point by Ryan Burke bringing the gap back to three at half-time.
The Deel men then hit six without reply in the opening six minutes of the half, two coming from the imperious Flynn striking two of them, as they left Caragh in their wake. Caragh would score only two points in the second half and Crossmolina dashed for the finishing line as Fionan Duffy, Mikie Loftus and another pearler by Conor Loftus booked their spot in the decider on Sunday week in Croke Park.
