Spa had to dig deep in a highly entertaining and competitive Co Minor League semi-final on Monday night to overcome a strong showing by Castleisland Desmonds. Two late goals were vital in securing the win, and we now go through to the Co Minor League Division 9 Final against Templenoe/Sneem/Tousist/Derrynane next Monday August 23rd (fixture details TBC).

The game, played in Spa, was 11-a-side on the night due to some missing players. Spa had points on the board early on from Kalvin O'Sullivan, Donagh Fahy and Timmy Moynihan before Timmy slotted past the Desmonds keeper in the 9th minute. Scores from Luke O'Neill (2) and Ryan McCarthy followed to give Spa a strong start, leading by 1-6 to 0-3 at the first half water break.

After the play resumed, Spa extended that lead with points from Aidan Cronin (2), Timmy Moynihan (3) and Luke O'Neill (2) to give them a comfortable advantage at half time at 1-13 to 0-6.

Desmonds hit a purple patch in the third quarter and very much took control of the game, kicking an unanswered 2-2 in a seven minute spell to make it Spa 1-13 Desmonds 2-8. All of a sudden it was game on. Luke O'Neill and Timmy Moynihan (2) added points for Spa, but with the Castleisland side picking up the breaks all over the field and continuously on the attack, they rattled the Spa net for a third time and added three more points to the board. By the second half water break, Desmonds had jumped in front and were leading by one point at 1-16 to 3-11.

When play restarted Desmonds added two more points, but Timmy Moynihan split the posts before Luke O'Neill goaled to make it 2-17 to 3-13. Desmonds replied with a point at the other end to level the game in the 58th minute.

Luke O'Neill rattled the net again moments later for his second goal, and Spa then dominated the final few minutes with Timmy Moynihan adding three more points for Spa. Desmonds battled on however, and one effort at goal came back off the post, and a penalty deep in injury time was well saved by Spa keeper Jack O'Sullivan.

Timmy Moynihan kicked the final score of the night and it ended Spa 3-21 Castleisland Desmonds 3-14.

Spa panel: Jack O Sullivan, Donal Hickey, Rian O'Neill, Danny Coffey, Aaron O'Connor, Evan O'Neill, Stephen Wickham, Aidan Cronin, Christopher Healy, Donagh Fahy, David O Sullivan, Oran O Neill, Oran Daly, Emmett Spillane, Timmy Moynihan, Kalvin O'Sullivan, Luke O’Neill, Ryan McCarthy, Cormac Walsh

Referee: John Purcell (Kilcummin)

Photos: Anne Holland