Round-Up of the Go-Ahead Ireland Intermediate Football Semi-Finals

St Anne’s and Round Towers Lusk will contest this year’s Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Intermediate Club Football Championship decider following their last four wins against Naomh Fionnbarra and Ballyboughal respectively last Saturday afternoon. 

There was a keen edge to proceedings given the prize on offer to both winners with St Anne’s producing a storming second-half display on their way to a 2-9 to 0-7 victory over Finbarrs at O’Toole Park. 

It was the Cabra outfit that controlled matters for the large part in the opening half but they would have been disappointed to lead by just 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, considering the strong wind in their favour. 

They managed two points apiece from Karl Grimes, Tommy O’Neill and Lee Cooney while restricting St Anne’s at the opposite end thanks to another strong display from Jordan Fitzsimons at full-back. 

However, the tide turned after the break as the Bohernabreena side gained the ascendancy through strong defensive displays by Sean Walsh, Craig Conroy and Sean Delappe. 

Sean McCahill also impressed with his efforts at centrefield as St Anne’s pounced for all the al-important goals in the final quarter through Luke Perry and Scott Fulham. 

Perry added two points for good measure with the likes of Darragh Fulham, Sean Stewart, Aaron McGrath, Jamie O’Neill and Eoin Kennedy all chipping in with crucial scores by the final whistle.  

There was another eight-point success at the Clann Mhuire grounds in Naul as Round Towers Lusk defeated their North County neighbours Ballyboughal by 3-13 to 2-8. 

There was a similar theme of first-half frustration as Ballyboughal led by 2-7 to 2-5 at the interval but rued the thirteen wides they registered having played with the elements initially. 

Given the strength of the wind, it was of little surprise that their scoring dried up upon the turnaround as they were restricted to a solitary point in the second-half, allowing Towers to gradually take control of events. 

Liam Bohan top scored for Lusk with eight points, including three points from play, and with Evan Ferguson, Aaron Naughton (penalty) and Stephen Moore all raising green flags, they edged further clear courtesy of points by Cormac Howley, Sean Bollard and Darragh Kelly. 

For Ballyboughal, Gerry Seaver top scored with 1-2 while Cian Casey (0-4), Richie Downey (1-0) and Jon Rooney (0-2) also made impressions on the scoreboard but their contributions and strong displays by Senan Campbell and Cahal Flynn proved in vain by the final whistle. 

IFC Club Semi-Finals: Round Towers Lusk 3-13 Ballyboughal 2-8; Naomh Fionnbarra 0-7 St Anne’s 2-9.