Late flourish sees Pearses overcome 14 man Tremane

After suffering an agonising 1-point defeat to Four Roads in the 2008 decider, Padraig Pearses find themselves back in their fourth Roscommon SHC final in five years following their 7-point victory over Tremane in last Saturday's penultimate tie at a wet and blustery Athleague. The Reds' opponents will be either Four Roads or Athleague following Four Roads' 2-10 to 1-10 win over Oran in the losers' group final, played as a curtain raiser to Saturday's semi-final on an evening which was anything but conducive to good hurling, and which attracted a small attendance of no more than 250 dedicated partisans. Despite the adverse conditions, it is to the great credit of the four teams on view that they produced some fine passages of hurling and a nett total of 54 scores between the two games, on an Athleague surface which was in excellent nick as always. Tremane, under the management of Padraig Keenan, had a highly impressive unbeaten run to what would be a repeat of the 2008 semi-final, following wins over Oran and St Dominic's and a draw against Athleague, while Pearses scored a highly meritorious win over their modern-day nemesis Four Roads, also overcoming Roscommon Gaels en route to Saturday's clash with the Primrose and Blue of Tremane. Accordingly Tom Carey was looking for more of the same as the Woodmount squad lined out in the spiritual home of Roscommon hurling seeking a place in the decider, provisionally pencilled in for Sunday, October 10. With a steady mist descending on a dark, murky evening, Pearses, although against the stiffish breeze, made the better start with Dara Mulvey testing Tremane keeper Brian McGarry, who saved at the expense of a '45', which was pointed by Alan Sweeney (1st minute). A foul on David Loughnane was punished by Shane Sweeney's resultant free 3 minutes later, but the Reds had a let-off when their on-form goalie Padraig Dolan brought off a terrific save from Tremane's Hubert Kelly. Cathal Kelly kept up the Pearses' offensive, however, when he deflected an Ollie Dolan centre over the bar, but Tremane got off the mark with a 65 metre free from influential centre half-back Mike Keaveney (7th minute). Wing-forward Adrian Purcell added another point two minutes later, but the mid-county men were severely hit, on 11 minutes, when full-forward Hubert Kelly was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Mannion following an incident on the stand side. Despite being down to 14 men so early in the game, Tremane battled valiantly on, and a lovely point from Peter Kelleghan, who would go on to produce an excellent display, had the sides level a minute after the 'sending off' incident. Pearses, with David Loughnane working diligently at midfield, fired over a brace of points by in-form corner-forward Cathal Kelly, but Tremane were in determined mood as they settled more into the match. Brian Keenan placed Adrian Purcell for a smart point and their stock soared with a superlative centre from midfielder Sean Melia was fielded 'Lar Corbett-style' by Niall Kilroy, who slammed the sliothar to the net for a 1-4 to 0-5 lead. The dual star added a pointed free almost immediately for a goal advantage, but Pearses were on terms 3 minutes later when Shane Sweeney's pass to Ollie Dolan saw the No. 11's shot parried by Tremane goalie Brian McGarry, only for sharpshooter Cathal Kelly to find the net in the ensuing play. Cathal, now with 1-3 to his name, was certainly in devastating form for his team and while Peter Kelleghan had his second point, Pearses struck again in the 25th minute when Alan Loughnane's delivery put Dara Mulvey through for the Reds' second goal in 5 minutes. Gary Frehill pointed a minute later, but a brace of Tremane points courtesy of Niall Kilroy (free) and Niall Keenan (play) left the half-time margin at a minimum with Pearses just ahead 2-6 to 1-8. Pearses, utilising their extra man in defence, resumed with wind advantage and in the opening minutes wing-forward Michael Donoghue clipped over 2 nice points. At this stage 5 of the Reds' starting forwards had scored. Tremane's Johnny Blighe and Mike Lynch were defending diligently in their full-back line against dangerous Pearses attacks, and when a Niall Kilroy pointed free and another from play by Peter Kelleghan again made it a 1-point game, the Primrose and Blues must have looked back in anguish as both Kilroy and Adrian Purcell were frustrated to see their bullet-like shots brilliantly saved by Pearses goalie Padraig Dolan in the preceding minutes. Heavy rain was now falling in the fading light and while another lovely point was registered by the outstanding Kelleghan, the pendulum was about to inexorably swing Pearses' way as the Tremane challenge faded. Points by Dara Mulvey (a delightful sideline cut) and Alan Sweeney (a monstrous effort from all of 90 metres) came just prior to that Kelleghan score, leaving the score at 2-10 to 1-11 with 12 minutes of normal time remaining. Tom Carey's side then cut loose against tiring opponents, as the numerical deficiency began to tell. An unanswered 1-5 was flagged between the 49th and 60th minutes - the points were clinically amassed by Shane Sweeney, Alan Loughnane, Dara Mulvey (free), Gary Frehill and sub Tomas Seale, while another substitute, Tomas Sweeney, rifled home the 56th minute goal that put the result beyond any further doubt. Deep in injury time, Tremane pulled back a goal when centre-back Mike Keaveney delivery was cracked to the net by Niall Kilroy, but at this stage Pearses had guaranteed their passage to the county final against Four Roads or Athleague as they prepare to bridge a 23-year gap since taking the last of their two titles in 1987, and exact sweep revenge against either Athleague, who were their conquerors in 2006 and 2007, while Four Roads took the 2008 title. Pearses' greater experience was a contributing factor in a game where, it must be stated, they enjoyed an extra man for all but 11 minutes of its duration. Notwithstanding this, they had a greater spread of expertise and craft in key positions and will make a brave bid to secure county honours. They had excellent performances from Padraig Dolan, Martin Mulvey, Robert Donoghue, Alan Sweeney, David Loughnane, Gary Frehill, Dara Mulvey and Cathal Kelly. An up-and-coming Tremane side were severely hit by that early dismissal and before fading in last quarter had shinning stars in Peter Kelleghan, Niall Kilroy, Sean Melia, Adrian Purcell and Mike Keaveney. SCORERS - Padraig Pearses: Cathal Kelly (1-3), Dara Mulvey (1-2, 0-1 sideline, 0-1f), Tomas Sweeney (1-0), Alan Sweeney (0-2, 0-1 '65', 1f), Shane Sweeney (0-2, 1f), Gary Frehill (0-2), Michael Donoghue (0-2), Alan Loughnane (0-1) and Tomas Seale (0-1). Tremane: Niall Kilroy (2-3, 0-3f), Peter Kelleghan (0-4), Adrian Purcell (0-2), Mike Keaveney (0-1f), and Niall Keenan (0-1). PADRAIG PEARSES: Padraig Dolan, Martin Mulvey, Robert Donoghue, Jimmy Donoghue, Alan Loughnane, Alan Sweeney, Christy Sweeney, Aidan Sweeney, David Loughnane, Michael Donoghue, Ollie Dolan, Gary Frehill, Shane Sweeney, Dara Mulvey, Cathal Kelly. Subs: Pat Downey for Jimmy Donoghue (37); Thomas Sweeney for Aidan Sweeney (41), Leo Flynn and Tomas Seale for Kelly and Frehill (60). TREMANE: Brian McGarry, Michael Somers, Johnny Blighe, Mike Lynch, Conor Melia, Mike Keaveney, Joe Moran, Brian Keenan, Sean Melia, Adrian Purcell, Peter Kelleghan, Niall Keenan, Niall Kilroy, Hubert Kelly, Cathal Brennan. Subs: Frank Carr for Melia (55); Mickey Blighe for Brennan (57); Adrian Flanagan for Purcell (60). REFEREE: Michael Mannion (Garrycastle, Westmeath).