Improved second half seals the deal for Abbey

By Darren Kelly
At Páirc Tailteann
 

JUST when it appeared to be slipping away, Abbeyknockmoy hurlers rolled up their sleeves on Sunday to produce a stunning second half performance and book their place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club final.
Following a first period of wasted opportunities where they trailed 0-7 to 0-6, the Galway champions looked to have left this behind when Donal Carey and Conor Small stretched Creggan Kickhams’ advantage to three.
But in a contest where all seemed to be going wrong, it turned right with immediate effect as centre back Brian Flaherty took control, his brother Paul was introduced following his quarter-final knee injury, the hard working unit pushed themselves more, and substitute Craig Kennedy hit a priceless goal to send the north Galway club to Croke Park.