Mayo champions reach provincial junior final after dramatic penalty shootout win

Kiltimagh are through to the Connaught junior football final after surviving a gripping extra-time battle and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout against St. Croan’s in Ballyforan, writes Caoimhín Rowland.

The sides finished level (2-11 to 1-14) after 80 minutes before Kiltimagh edged the shootout 3-2.

Kiltimagh made the perfect start when Paul Kelly stormed through the St. Croan’s defence to fire home a fourth-minute goal, helping the Mayo champions into a 1-6 to 0-5 half-time lead.

When Fionnan Burke rifled in their second goal on 49 minutes, Kiltimagh looked firmly in command at 2-8 to 0-8.

But St. Croan’s mounted a superb comeback. A long ball from Ross Timothy broke to Callum Pacey who palmed to the net, and points from Ger Connaughton and the ice-cool Keith Muldoon, who levelled with a 66th-minute free, forced extra time.

St. Croan’s, the Roscommon champions, carried that momentum into the added period. Muldoon pointed early before Aidan Brogan nudged them ahead. Oisín Mulderrig replied for Kiltimagh only for Ryan Hanley to curl over a brilliant score to leave St. Croan’s 1-14 to 2-10 in front at the turnaround.

But Kiltimagh dug in and Thomas Keegan landed a vital equaliser two minutes from time to send the tie to penalties.

The shootout brought more drama. Fionan Burke was denied with Kiltimagh’s first kick while Conroy and Connaughton converted to put St. Croan's 2-1 up. But the Roscommon men faltered thereafter, missing their remaining four efforts. Burke held his nerve with his second attempt and Kiltimagh finished the job to seal a provincial final date with Aughavas.

*See Tuesday's print edition for a comprehensive report