Pearses power past Tulsk to clinch semi-final berth

Apart from a worrying spell in the 10 minutes prior to half-time in which they conceded 1-3 to a resilient Tulsk side, Padraig Pearses experienced little difficulty in securing their semi-final berth in the Roscommon IFC - eventually easing to victory by an unflattering 12-point margin. This, in brief, synopsises the second game on Saturday's Dr Hyde Park programme in which the Reds maintained their relentless quest towards immediate promotion, having surprisingly dropped to Intermediate status a year ago. An unbeaten run through their group - in which they secured wins over St Barry's, Ballinameen and St Ronan's - secured a quarter-final place against a Tulsk squad who, after a mixed bag of group results (losses against Kilglass Gaels and Fuerty and a win over St. Brigid's), defeated Eire "g in a play-off. Thankfully, conditions stayed dry for the second quarter-final of the evening, but the imminence of autumn was clearly discernable with a strong, chilly breeze blowing into the hospital end. Pat Fox's Maroons had the benefit of this in the first half and accordingly needed to amass some early scores. But the direct opposite turned out to be the case as Pearses were clearly set on making an early statement of intent. The Tulsk defence was under early pressure, goalie Joe Grady smartly saving a speculative Niall Daly shot. But the 7th minute opened the sluice gates as Pearses, in the next 4 minutes, posted an unanswered 1-3. A trio of points via Aaron Fehilly, David Grehan and subsequent top scorer Michael Duignan, were supplemented in the best possible manner when on-form Duignan turned provider for wing-back John Whyte to blast to the net (10 minute). Pearses suffered a setback in the 15th minute when centre-back and inter-county stalwart Niall Carty was forced off with a back injury. The Tulsk rearguard, after that Pearses scoring flurry, appeared to be getting to grips with the potent Reds attack, and Maroon supporters saw their side getting on the scoreboard when Murray (19th minute) soloed upfield for an impressive point. Almost immediately, however, they were caught cold at the other end when the industrious David Grehan and substitute Paul Duke made the road for Michael Duignan to stroke home goal No. 2. Many a side would have capitulated at this sickening jolt. But, to their great credit, Tulsk responded with admirable positivity. Patrick McCormack (free), just introduced sub Kieran Donoghue and midfielder Richie Feeney (23rd, 24th and 25th minutes) sent over three unanswered points. And while Pearses added two points via Emmett Kelly and David Grehan, Tulsk - thanks to a delightful through-ball from Richie Feeney - scored what must be in the reckoning for goal of the championship when Patrick McCormack from a narrow angle gave Thomas Dolan no chance in the Pearses goal with a brilliant strike. Pearses had the last score of the half when Michael Duignan pointed a free (after a foul on Emmett Kelly), and at the interval held a 2-6 to 1-4 lead with the wind to follow. Would that late first-half rally spur Tulsk on to greater heights on the resumption? The answer in this case would be an emphatic no. And with temperatures falling further at near-empty Dr. Hyde Park, Pearses would now take almost full control of this quarter-final to put the outcome beyond any doubt long before the final whistle. Seamus Clogher's men added 10 further points to their half-time total, with Tulsk, now coming off second best in the greater number of individual duels around the park, clocking up just 3 points, all of these from the boot of wing-forward Cathal O'Rourke (one free). Michael Duignan, with 4 points from play, brought his total for the game to 1-6, with Pearses' other second-half scores compiled by Emmett Kelly (3, 1 free), Niall Finneran (free), David Grehan and substitute Paul Moran. All told, an eminently satisfactory evening's work for the South Roscommon side; they would probably have preferred a stronger challenge than that provided by an earnest, but limited, Tulsk fifteen. But that injury to Niall Carty will be a cause of concern to them as they prepare for the semi-final. In a rearguard whose only spell of concern was that 10 minutes before half time, John Connell played a typical captain's part in an all-action display, with Enda Barrett, Paul Kelly and goalscorer John Whyte giving little away to the opposition. Niall Finneran and Niall Daly were in the ascendancy for the greater part of the hour at midfield with Michael Duignan, Emmett Kelly and David Grehan the top scorers up front where Aaron Fehilly also impressed. Minute's silence Before each game on Saturday evening, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to the late Mrs Ada O'Donnell, mother of Roscommon SF Manager Fergal O'Donnell. SCORERS - Padraig Pearses: M Duignan (1-6, 0-1f), E Kelly (0-4, 1f), D Grehan (0-3), J Whyte (1-0), A Fehilly (0-1), P Moran (0-1), N Finneran (0-1f). Tulsk Lord Edwards: P McCormack (1-1, 0-1f), C O'Rourke (0-3, 1f), S Murray (0-1), K Donoghue (0-1), R Feeney (0-1). PADRAIG PEARSES: Thomas Dolan, Enda Barrett, Paul Kelly, Cathal Dolphin, John Connell (capt), Niall Carty, John Whyte, Niall Finneran, Niall Daly, Cathal Kelly jnr, David Grehan, Aaron Fehilly, Emmett Kelly, Declan Duffy, Michael Duignan. Subs: Paul Duke for Carty (inj, 15); Padraig Corbett for C Kelly (48); Paul Moran for Duke (52); Alan Duffy for E Kelly (55). TULSK LORD EDWARDS: Joe Grady, Niall O'Connell, Kevin Mannion, Kieran McCormack, Sean Murray, Alan Rushe, Niall Collins, Richie Feeney, Craig Burns, Dara Jones, Jack Conlan, Cathal O'Rourke, Patrick McCormack, Jack Carlton, Stephen McCormack. Subs: Kieran Donoghue for S McCormack (21); Michael Furey for K McCormack (38); Padraig Scott for P McCormack (52). REFEREE: Sean Feeney (Clann na nGael).