The Bs are through to the O'Duffy Cup Final and the chance to win the title for the 4th year in a row after an exciting 0-14 to 1-09 win over Scotstown last night. The game was played in ideal conditions at Toome and ebbed and flowed with both teams having periods of dominance with the result in doubt right up until the final whistle.
Blayney opened the scoring with a Keith Hill free, a good Adi Irwin point from play and a further Hill point extended the lead. Scotstown got their first score in the 10th minute but a Padraig McBennett point soon restored Blayneys 3 point advantage. Scotstown began to get on top around the middle of the field and they added 3 of the next 4 scores to reduce their arrears to 1 but in injury time Gerry Brady tapped over to leave the score 0-06 to 0-04 at the interval.Blayney introduced Francis Moore at half time to try and counter Scotstowns superiority around the middle. An early McBennett point increased the lead to 3 but from the kick-out Scotstown broke down the field and found the Blayney net. Buoyed by the goal Scotstown had their best period and 2 further points gave them a 2 point lead at the 3/4 stage. The introduction of Moore was now beginning to show dividends with Blayney winning more ball around the middle and 2 fine scores in a row from Keith Hill drew Blayney level. Scotstown went ahead again but Hill restored parity again with another from play. With time running out Scotstown put their noses in front again but Blayney were not to be beaten and McBennett fisted another equalizer. Just as it looked as if the game might go to extra time Damian Hughes popped up to point and from the kick-out Brian McGuigan added another to ensure Scotstown needed a goal which proved beyond them in the time remaining. The Final is fixed for the 17th June and the opponents will be Drumhowan or Magheracloone.
Team and scorers: B McNamara; M McHugh, J McHugh, B Flanagan; D Hughes (0-1), B McGuinness, B McGuigan (0-1), P Finnegan, A Irwin (0-1); G Brady (0-1), N Duffy, K Hill (0-6, 2f); P McBennett (0-4, 3f), R Treacy, A Ward. Subs F Moore for Treacy and C McGinn for J McHugh.
