Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 4-10 V Newry Shamrocks 0-17
A pivotal switch 10 minutes into the second half was the inspirational boost that saw Warrenpoint out score Shamrocks 2-6 to 0-2 in the remaining 20 mins. Having been down by four points in the first half it was Shamrocks who were able to find a rhythm quickest and knock the sliotar over the black spot with almost every attack. CPN got off to the dream start when Tomas Magill found the net within 5 minutes after Michael Murphy had opened the scoring. Shamrocks were soon back in the hunt and scored the next four points to even the score. Niall McParland playing wing half forward and midfielder Liam Conlan traded points with shamrocks in a evenly contested game. It was then that shamrocks started to pull away in the hope of putting some daylight between the teams with the next three scores. Half time CPN trail 1-3 to 0-10.
The start of the second half saw Callam McConville have to retire with an injury to his left arm, on came Peter McCreesh in the hope of repeating his U16 victory from the week before. Shamrocks were quickest out of the blocks and opened up six-point gap. Within minutes Michael Murphy clawed back the blues with a fine goal when surround by white jerseys. The next five minutes saw shamrock cancel that goal with more points, but as the game looked to be slipping away the blues management saw fit to move the influential Ronan Cunningham into full forward along with Thomas Magee and within the next five minutes the blues totally outplayed the white jerseys and proved more of a potent threat in front of goal. A Ronan Cunningham shot was parried into the path of McCreesh who booted the sliotar to the net. Further points from Liam Conlan, who put in an immense shift over the 60 mins, Niall saw the blues edge in front. But once Ronan Cunningham gained possession and burst through several tackle the keeper hadn’t a chance with his pile driver to the net. For the remaining 5 mins the teams once more traded scores as Warrenpoint closed out the game and advance to the final.
Scorers: Ronan Cunningham 1-0, Michael Murphy 1-1, Peter McCreesh 1-0, Tomas Magill 1-0, Niall McParland 0-5, Liam Conlan 0-4
