Westport to meet St. Colmcille's in February 19 final at Croke Park
Westport 1-10
Kenmare Shamrocks 0-11
(After extra time)
WESTPORT are heading for Croke Park following their magnificent victory over Kerry and Munster champions Kenmare Shamrocks in the All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final played in Cusack Park, Ennis, today.
After a cracking and close encounter throughout, it was Westport who pulled out all the stops in extra-time to carve out a two-point victory against a Kerry side who were at odds of 1/4 on to advance to the decider.
In the end it was Westport's renowned magnificent battling qualities that saw them come through this huge hurdle and qualify for their first ever All-Ireland final.
In normal time Westport gave as good as they got. However, especially in the opening half, lady luck wasn't on their side as two or three great goal chances went abegging. As a result they went in at the break a point down, 0-5 to 0-4.
On the resumption Westport continued to win plenty of possession. However, they missed a few great chances and found themselves three points down with just over four minutes of normal time remaining.
A high ball into the Kenmare goal area was brilliantly fielded by Shane Scott who in turn was fouled in the big square.
Scott himself took the penalty and drove it low and hard to the right corner of the net to level matters and send the game into extra time.
After the first period of extra-time Kenmare held a one-point lead. However, Westport held them scoreless in the second period of extra-time along with scoring points from Brian McDermott, Shane Scott and Colm Geraghty to decide the issue and send them into the All-Ireland.
In the final which will be played in Croke Park on Sunday, February 19, Westport will meet Meath and Leinster champions St. Colmcille's who defeated Tyrone side, Pomeroy, by 3-11 to 2-13 in their semi-final.
Westport: P. O'Malley, N. McManamon, K. Keane, K. Deever, B. O'Malley, B. McDermott (0-1), J. Walsh, L. Keegan, S. Scott (1-1), F. McDonagh (0-2), P. Keegan, L. Staunton (0-2), C. Moran (0-2), P. Lambert (0-1), O.McLoughlin.
Subs used: R. Geraghty, D. Horan, C. Geraghty (0-1).
Kenmare Shamrocks: K. Fitzgibbon, S. Ó Shea, T. Sullivan, D. Crowley (0-1), S. O'Sullivan, D. O' Shea, M. Crowley, J. Foley, D. Hallissey, P. O'Shea (0-1), S. O'Leary, S. O'Shea, P. O'Connor, A. O'Leary.
Subs used: B.O'Sullivan, S. Dalton, C. O'Sullivan, S. O'Brien.
Referee: M. McNally (Monaghan).