Lennon the hero as O’Dempsey’s advance to Kelly Cup final
Jack Lennon's late goal was enough to see O'Dempsey's over the line and get the better of St Joseph's in the Kelly Cup semi-final Photo: Denis Byrne
O’Dempsey’s 1-11
St Joseph’s 0-12
AN INJURY time goal from Jack Lennon saw O’Dempsey’s progress to the Kelly Cup final beating the defending champions St Joseph's in the process in Kellyville on Friday night.
Remarkably, it was the only time that O'Dempsey's would lead in the match, but they won't care as they have a final to look forward to.
Jack Lennon was the hero who had a huge second half kicking 1-4 all from play to lead his side for victory.
It was the home side that got off to the better start with Cormac Murphy and Daniel Hickey giving their side an early lead.
O’Dempsey’s responded with two points of their own through Joe Lennon who had a brilliant game and Daithi Howlin drew the team’s level with a close in free.
James Kelly then hit a monstrous two pointer followed by a brilliant point from the brilliant Sean Rowan.
Both teams defended the arc with lots of bodies and both teams would struggle to fashion a scoring position as plenty of ball was turned over on several occasions.
Joe Finn and Eimhin O'Neill finally breached the Joseph's defence to keep O’Dempsey’s in touch. James Kelly would add another to his tally as the Joseph's led 0-6 to 0-4 at half time.
Both teams would trade points on two occasions after the break, with Jack Lennon getting a brace for O’Dempsey’s while Oisin Hooney and Rowan kept their side in the lead.
Rowan would add another point to open up a three-point lead to put them in a healthy lead, but the victors came storming back and would kick three points in a row as the momentum shifted in O’Dempsey’s favour.
Lennon added two more class points from play while Eoin Finlay made an instant impact from the bench with a free to draw the team’s level with 12 minutes left.
Joseph's then wrestled back advantage and would kick three points in quick succession with Rowan adding a brace of frees and Dylan Doyle added the other and it looked like they were going to run out the winners.
O'Dempsey's had other ideas though and Matthew Finlay came off the bench for the first time this season and would add a two pointer to leave a point in it as time ticked on.
Jack Lennon then delivered the fatal blow as he lobbed Aaron Cooney and found the back of the net in the first minute of injury time which proved the winning score.
O’Dempsey’s progress to the final where they will either play Stradbally or Crettyard who play next Wednesday night in Stradbally.
SCORERS:
O'Demspey's: Jack Lennon 1-4, Matthew Finlay 0-2 (1 tp), Joe Lennon, Daithi Howlin, Eimhin O'Neil, Eoin Finlay (f) 0-1 each.
St Joseph's: Sean Rowan 0-5 (0-4fs), James Kelly 0-3 (1 tp), Cormac Murphy, Daniel Hickey, Oisin Hooney, Dylan Doyle 0-1 each.
O'DEMPSEY'S: Eugene Nolan; Callum Ryan, Johnny Kelly, Jim Holland; Joe Lennon, Thomas Kehoe, Stephen Lennon; Eimhin O'Neil. Barry Howlin; Lorchan Coleman, Jack Lennon, Sam Molloy; Joe Finn, Daithi Howlin, Robbie McNeill. Subs: Matthew Finlay, Eoin Finlay, Cormac O'Hora, Barry Kelly, Derek Dunne, Kevin Garry.
ST JOSEPH'S: Aaron Cooney; Ciaran Condron, Adam Campion, Conor Kealy; Tom Dunne, Daniel Hickey, Niall Brennan; James Kelly, Sean Brennan; Matthew Campion, Dylan Doyle, Bobby Rowan; Sean Rowan, Cormac Murphy, Oisin Hooney.
Subs: Colin Campion, Sam Lynch, Eoin Cahill, Jamie Kelly.
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (The Heath)
