A kicked goal from Keith Doyle and a late equalising free from Mickey Joe Egan salvaged a share of the spoils for St. Dominic’s against county champions Four Roads in Ballyforan this evening, as it finished 1-14 apiece.
On balance of play however, Four Roads will feel like the team that was most fortunate to take something out of a game where they really struggle to make an impression in front of goal.
St. Dominic’s played with the wind in the first half and exploded out of the blocks, moving into an 0-5 to 0-1 lead with Tommy Doyle and Ronan Kilcline firing over some spectacular points.
Jack Lohan also rattled the Four Roads crossbar with a powerful shot as they piled on the pressure, before Four Roads gradually came back into the tie on the back of Cathal Dolan’s free taking.
Momentum in the tie seemed to shift dramatically back towards Four Roads when Declan Dowling got a straight red card for a striking offence shortly before half time and two late frees from Dolan and Shane Curley cut the gap to one, 0-9 to 0-8.
St. Dominic’s pushed on again after half time with three scores on the bounce, but a defensive error allowed Jamie Lawlor to scoop up possession and fire in a goal, with further points following from Brian Lawlor and Dolan.
It looked as if Four Roads had done enough until substitute Keith Doyle kicked in an equalising goal, though they replied with a fine James Cunniffe point.
There was still time for one last twist, this time a 60 metre free from Mickey Joe Egan that shaved the upright on its way over the bar with the last puck.
Elsewhere in group A of the Kepak Senior Hurling Championship Padraig Pearses had a big 3-20 to 1-11 win over Oran in Athleague.
In group B, Tremane scored a 2-21 to 1-7 win over Roscommon Gaels on Saturday night.
