Annaghdown could not cope with loss of Niall Coleman

By BILLY COSS Mícheál Breathnachs.2-10 Annaghdown ..0-7 WHAT WAS BILLED among the weekend's most competitive match-ups turned into one of its most one-sided as Mícheál Breathnachs advanced to the SFC quarter-finals for only the second time in their history after a comfortable nine-point win over Annaghdown at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening. As a contest, this match remained in the balance at half-time but Annaghdown simply had no answers after the break when Micheál Breathnachs upped the ante with Fiontán Ó Curraoin, Peadar Ó Gríofa and Seán Denvir all playing prominent roles.[private] The Inverin side came into the 2012 season with expectations of a vastly improved showing after a couple of disappointing campaigns and the off-field controversy that overshadowed the early part of last year's Championship. Under Seán Ó Domhnaill's management, they appear to be a team on the rise and the manner in which they swept Annaghdown's challenge aside in the third quarter marks them out as a side that should not be under-estimated in the last eight. After a slow-burning opening half that ended 0-4 apiece, the winners reeled off a series of points after the break that put matters out of Annaghdown's reach. Peadar Ó Gríofa put his an injury-plagued 2011 behind him on his way to a tally of 1-5, all but one point coming from play; Peadar Ó Cionnaith struck 1-1, while team captain Seán Denvir reproduced the outstanding NUI Maynooth form which earned him selection on this year's Sigerson Cup â€ËœAll-Star' team. Although injuries to Niall Coleman and Christopher Greaney undoubtedly hurt Annaghdown chances, it was a hugely disappointing showing from Willie Hughes' team, particularly in the second half. Their over-worked defence was forced to deal with wave after wave of Micheál Breathnachs attacks while up front, they were over-reliant on Frankie Burke who was unable to repeat his heroics from their first round defeat of NUIG. Micheál Breathnachs held a noticeable advantage in the physicality stakes and Coleman's absence from Annaghdown's midfield was keenly felt as his fellow County panellist Fiontán Ó Curraoin was the dominant player in the sector. Five days on from lining out for Galway in their challenge match against Clare, the DCU student continued his recuperation from a serious ankle injury sustained with DCU in early March and did his chances of starting next month's All-Ireland qualifier no harm with an impressive hour's football. This match was won and lost in the third quarter when Micheál Breathnachs hit five unanswered points, including three from Ó Gríofa, before striking for two well-worked goals inside a five-minute spell. Ó Gríofa turned provider for the first, setting up Ó Cionnaith to score from close range, and finished the second after Denvir released him through on goal.  Mícheál Breathnachs: E. Ó Coistealbha; M. Ó Maoileoin, P. T. Ó Conghaile, B. Ó Conghaile; A. Ó Finneadha, S. Ó Maoileoin, C. Ó Griallais; C. Ó Cuiv, F. Ó Curraoin; S. Ó Conaire, S. Chóil Ó Finneadha (0-1), S. Denvir, captain (0-2); P. Ó Cionnaith (1-1), P. Ó Gríofa (1-5, one free), S. Ó Finneadha (0-1). Subs: P. Mac Giolla Bríde, for Ó Cuiv, 37 mins; D. Ó Maoileoin, for Ó Griallais inj., 57 mins; F. Mac Diarmada, for S. Ó Finneadha, 59 mins. Annaghdown: P. O'Neill; M. O'Neill, S. Collier, B. Newell; B. Qualter, A. Pender, J. Creaven; C. Duggan, B. Dooley, captain (0-1); N. Farragher, E. Mullarkey, R. Newell; A. Burke, D. Newell (0-1), F. Burke (0-5, three frees). Subs: T. J. Forde, for P. O'Neill inj., 10 mins; P. Lynch, for M. O'Neill, 42 mins; D. Meehan, for Qualter, 51 mins; N. Kinneen, for D. Newell, 51 mins. Referee: Shane Hehir Herald Sport Man of the Match: Peadar Ó Griofa (Mícheál Breathnachs).[/private]