Interfirms loss for Mayo-Sligo combo

A whole host of footballers from Mayo and Sligo featured in the final of the All-Ireland Intermediate Inter-Firms Championship which saw Regeneron from Limerick get the better of Abbvie by 2-6 to 0-8 at Kent Park in Sligo last week, writes Gavin Cawley.

It was actually a Mayo man who played a pivotal role in Regeneron’s victory, with Fergal Keane from Knockmore scoring the game’s opening goal and setting up Conor Herlihy for the second, both of which came inside the opening fourteen minutes.

Abbvie were without the services of Brian Reape from Moy Davitts and the Crossmolina pairing of Stephen Duffy and Cathal Carolan, and trailed at the break by five points with Westport’s Alan Kennedy and Killian Kilkelly both key to keeping their side in touch.

Regeneron led 2-4 to 0-5 at the interval and Abbvie were having to play against the wind in the second-half, but they fought hard. Liam Reilly and Kennedy again were on the mark after half-time but their efforts weren’t enough as the Limerick side held on for the victory.

Regeneron: Conor Ranahan; Brian Treacy, Fiachra O’Grady (0-1), Denis Kennelly; Shane Cusack, Cormac Flanagan, Padraig Quinn; Jonathan Fitzgerald, Adrian Enright (0-2); Todd Donovan, Conor Herlihy (1-1), James Pomeroy; Fergal Keane (1-0), Paul O’Shea, Niall Flynn (0-2). Subs: James Kelly (for Treacy 33), Patrick Reidy (for Pomeroy 41), Kevin O’Connell (for Fitzgerald 54), Cormac Mann (for Donovan 60).

Abbvie: Daniel Lyons (Shamrock Gaels); Stephen Corrigan (Louisburgh), Declan McDermott (Kilbride), Pat Kelly (Westport); Michael Regan (Curry), Kevin Keane (Westport), Enda Roche (St John’s); Liam Reilly (Curry, 0-2), David McGovern (St Mary’s); Kenneth Keane (Burrishoole), Killian Kilkelly (Westport, 0-2), Paul Flynn (Castleconnor); Ian Barrett (Easkey), Darren McDonnell (Westport), Alan Kennedy (Westport, 0-4, 3f). Subs: Fiachra Henry (for Regan 33).

REF: John Glavey (Mayo)