Keystone Group are through to All Ireland Junior Football final of GAA Inter-firms All-Ireland Championship

Played in the middle of the Yellow alert which hit the western region both sides derserve credit for serving up an entertaining encounter.

In the end it was a Cathal McShane goal which was the decisive score of the contest. The former All Ireland winner with Tyrone hit 1-4 for the winners mainly from placed balls.

The strong wind played havoc with the match. JJ Rhatigan had first use of the wind and with the aid of 6 two pointers, built up a 10 point first half advantage. They were still 3 points clear entering the final quarter. However The Keystone Group finished the match the stronger to set up an All Ireland final clash with Dublin Fire Brigade in a few weeks time.

Despite playing into the elements, it was the Tyrone side who started brighter. Cathal McShane with a fine score opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Two minutes later McShane combined with James Kelly before the latter doubled Keystones advantage.

Minutes later, JJ Rhatigan were off the mark when Tom Quinlivan opened their account. It was The Keystone Group side who dominating the early exchanges and reopened their two point advantage when Daire Conway’s delivery was fisted over the bar by James Kelly

The remainder of the first half was dominated by the Galway side. Shane Canavan levelled the contest in the 11th minute when he converted a 2 point free. Then followed an exhibition of point taking from Brian Conneely in the form of four 2 pointers all from play. The first came on 13 minutes when he fired over after linking well with Paul Fitzmaurice.

The second 2 pointer came as the match entered the second quarter to stretch their advantage to four. A further two followed in the space of sixty seconds in the 22nd minute had Rhatigan’s in a commanding position. Darragh Curley brought the first half scoring to a close in the 27th minute with yet another 2 pointer.

Half Time: JJ Rhatigan 0-13 0-3 The Keystone Group.

Playing with the elements on the resumption Keystone were quickly off the mark when Darragh Conway raced through to fire over. Tyrone O’Neill reduced the arrears in the 36th minute when he landed a 2 pointer from a placed ball. What proved to the decisive score came 4 minutes later when a long range free from Cathal McShane somehow found its way to the back of the JJ Rhatigans net. This left four between the sides. A minute later, Tiarnan Quinn pointed to leave a single score between the sides.

Early in the final quarter Cathal McShane converted a 2point free following a breach to leave the minimum between the sides. The Tyrone men hit the front for the first time since the 10th minute when James Kelly fired over a 2 pointer with 12 minutes remaining.

Final score: Keystone Group (Tyrone) 1-13 0-13 JJ Rhatigan (Galway).

Scorers: The Keystone Group: Cathal McShane (1-4, 1-3 frees), James Kelly(0-5). Tyrone O’Neill(0-2), Daire Conway, Tiarnan Quinn (0-1 each).

JJ Rhatigan: Brian Conneely (0-8), Shane Canavan(0-2 f) Darragh Curley(0-2), Tom Quinlivan(0-1).