Reynolds and Galligan fire Athlone IT into semi finals

For the first time in eight years, Athlone IT have reached the semi-final stages of the Sigerson Cup - thanks to this narrow victory over IT Sligo at Ballyforan on Wednesday of last week. Athlone IT will now face University College Cork in the semi-finals this Friday in Maynooth this Friday (North Campus Pitch, 12.00). It was a fully deserved victory for AIT, but they were given a major scare when IT Sligo midfielder David Givney struck for an injury-time goal, which left just a single point between the teams. However, the final whistle was blown as soon as AIT 'keeper Gary Connaughton took the resulting kick-out. Earlier in the contest, a 37th minute goal from Clara's John Reynolds had given Athlone the impetus to kick on for the winning post. And with Cavan's Raymond Galligan discovering his scoring boots in the second half, the Athlone side enjoyed a 1-9 to 0-8 advantage with time running out. Deep in injury time, a high ball into the AIT goalmouth caused some consternation, with Connaughton emerging from his line, allowing Givney to fist the ball into the empty net. The final whistle was greeted with joy and relief by the AIT camp, who have waited a long time to return to the concluding stages of the Sigerson Cup. For long stages of the first half, it didn't look like it was going to be AIT's day. The Athlone side failed to score from play in the opening half, their three points coming from two Raymond Galligan frees and one from Ger Dennigan. The sides were level (0-3 each) at half-time. With Sligo inter-county star Jonathan Davey in impressive form, the Connacht outfit had looked marginally the better side in the first half, when they were aided by the slight wind. This was quite an intense battle, and Ballymahon native Derek Fahy showed eight yellow cards (five to IT Sligo) over the course of the contest. Conditions for football were good on a fine day at Ballyforan, with the St Aidan's club doing an excellent job of hosting this game. IT Sligo took the lead in the sixth minute with a fine left-footed point by Sean Kelly, after good work from lively wing-forward Gary Gaughan and full-forward Stephen Henry. After an uncharacteristic miss from a free by Raymond Galligan, IT Sligo's Danny Cummins landed a splendid point at the other end. AIT corner-forward Frank Burke was off target after receiving a good pass by highly impressive wing-back Matthew Mitchell, before Sligo's Stephen Coen spurned a seemingly routine free. David Reilly was introduced for AIT centre-back Darragh Considine, who had picked up an injury, and Reilly went on to have an influential game. Shortly after being introduced, Reilly was adjudged to have fouled Danny Cummins, and Stephen Coen pointed the free, although his shot looked suspiciously wide. After good work in defence by St Aidan's Sean Higgins (playing on his home ground), AIT wing-forward Paul Doherty earned a free, which Galligan pointed from over 45 metres. Ned Burns' side were level by the 26th minute, Ger Dennigan pointing a close-range free after the vigorous Frank Burke drew the foul. There were no more scores in the first half, with John Reynolds and Stephen Coen unlucky with efforts at either end. Within less than a minute of the restart, Sligo were ahead courtesy of a David Givney point, but Galligan equalised from a free shortly afterwards. Then a point attempt by Matthew Mitchell came off the post and, from the rebound, Cathal Blake tried to set up John Reynolds for a goal chance, but the IT Sligo defence managed to clear the danger. Reynolds goal A superb point by Danny Cummins edged Sligo ahead in the 36th minute but, just a minute later, AIT struck for that all-important goal. Great play by Cathal Blake instigated a move which also involved midfielder Brian Connor. The Walsh Island man passed the ball across to Frank Burke, whose shot was saved by Sligo keeper Adrian Faherty. However, John Reynolds reacted quickest to the rebound and finished to ball to the net. After Gary Connaughton made a good catch from a David Givney shot, Eoin McHugh brought Sligo within a point (1-4 to 0-6). Then a good passage of play from AIT - involving Connor, Mitchell and Burke - led to a fine point for David Egan. With Brian Connor becoming more prominent around midfield, AIT soon went four points clear, after Galligan raised two white flags in as many minutes. Connor set up the Cavan man for the first and a Reynolds lay-off paved the way for the second. The midlanders now looked in a good position but IT Sligo were not prepared to go quietly and they responded with points from Alan Freeman (free) and Stephen Coen, who popped the ball over with a goal briefly looking a possibility. Athlone IT had moved Cathal Blake (a brother of former AIT player, Diarmuid) out to support the midfield and he soon made his presence felt with a great catch from a kick-out. An excellent tackle by the outstanding Matthew Mitchell then halted the progress of the threatening David Givney. Galligan gave AIT breathing space when he converted a 45' and the same player made it 1-9 to 0-8 with an excellent point off his left foot. That latter score proved crucial in the final analysis, as Givney's late goal was not enough to force extra-time. Athlone IT will now have their sights set on a first ever appearance in the Sigerson Cup final, but UCC - with players like Cork's Michael Shields and Kerry senior panellist John Buckley - are likely to provide a formidable challenge on Friday. SCORERS - Athlone IT: R Galligan 0-7 (3f, 1 45'); J Reynolds 1-0; D Egan 0-1; G Dennigan 0-1f. IT Sligo: D Givney 1-1; D Cummins 0-2; S Coen 0-2 (1f); S Kelly, E McHugh 0-1 each; A Freeman 0-1f. ATHLONE IT: Gary Connaughton; James Reynolds, Diarmuid Masterson, Sean Higgins; Matthew Mitchell, Darragh Considine, Kevin Smyth; Brian Connor, Ger Dennigan; Paul Doherty, David Egan, Cathal Blake; Frank Burke, Raymond Galligan, John Reynolds. Subs: David Reilly for Considine (injured); Aidan Burke for Doherty; Mark McCallon for James Reynolds; Niall Judge for Egan. IT SLIGO: Adrian Faherty; Keelan Cawley, Dermot Reynolds, Shane Boyle; Jonathan Davey, Gary Reynolds, Ciaran Greene; David Givney, Eugene Keating; Gary Gaughan, Alan Freeman, Sean Kelly; Stephen Coen, Stephen Henry, Danny Cummins. Subs: Eoin McHugh for Kelly; Seamus Ryder for McHugh. REFEREE: Derek Fahy (Longford).