County Under-21 football 'B' semi final (Saturday 5-April-97)

Lahardane..................................2-17
Belmullet.....................................5-6

Lahardane finish strongly to beat off Belmullet challenge

Thirty players dragged their weary legs off Kiltane football pitch in falling darkness on Saturday evening, after serving up a thrilling county under-21 football 'B' semi-final that had to be extended by a further thirty minutes to reach a result.

At the end it was Lahardane's greater fitness that was a deciding factor, as Belmullet appeared to fade somewhat before storming back to score a late goal to throw the issue into the melting pot again. But it was too little too late!

It was one of the best games in the whole championship and it was a credit to both sets of players that the game was played in a real sporting fashion.

Belmullet served early notice on the much fancied Lahardane side when Paddy Barrett crashed in a goal from a Kieran Lally centre to put the Erris side into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead after fifteen minutes.

Wind assisted Lahardane were largely depending on Declan Leonard and Anthony McDermott to lift them ahead to lead 0-6 to 1-1 at the break.

Twelve minutes into the second period Lahardane were still enjoying a 1-7 to 1-4 lead when Belmullet introduced Ronan Gaughan at full forward.He was only on the field two minutes when he fisted a Ger Lavelle centre to the net to leave the sides level.

Although well held by county underage hurler Derek McDonnell, last years "Hurler of the Year" award recipient, Lahardane's James Gillespie managed to gain some freedom from the tight marking McDonnell to deliver a high centre that outfoxed defenders and forwards alike to drop into the Belmullet net.

Lahardane again pulled clear by three points by the 50th minute and looked on course to book their final spot when up pops Belmullet's Kieran Lally to fist in the levelling goal to force a period of extra-time.

The sides were deadlocked after the first five minutes of added time but then Belmullet struck for another goal by McDonnell to open up a three point gap.

However, that was to be the Erris sides final score until a late goal in the second period of added time brought them within two points of the Nephinsiders again.

In between, a succession of points by Shane Blake (2), James Gillespie, Declan Leonard, Declan Garrett and Damian Kelly put them five points clear before Belmullet had their fifth goal seconds from the end.

Lahardane: D. Nolan, D. Sheridan, A. Irwin, A. Marley, A. McDermott (0-2); T. Marley, J. Gillespie (1-1); S. Blake (0-3); B. Rowland , V. Cawley, J. Rowland (1-0); D. Leonard (0-7 4f); D. Kelly (0-2). Sub.: D. Garrett (0-2).

Referee: R. Cosgrove (Kiltane).