Spa 1-16 Templenoe 3-12
Aided by the breeze in the first half Spa, Spa started well and with converted frees from Niall McCarthy and Mike O'Donoghue, we were two points ahead within the first few minutes.
Killian Spillane opened Templenoe's account but Spa kept pushing forward and with additional points from Mike O'Donoghue and Evan Cronin, they extended that lead to 0-4 to 0-1. Andrew Garnett got very close on goal but his first attempt was just wide. After Teddy Doyle and Ryan O'Carroll swapped scores, Garnett collected a long high ball and, despite the keeper getting the slightest touch, the ball rattled the net for the first goal of the day.
David Spillane and Evan Cronin extended the Spa advantage but Templenoe, who hit a few early wides, were certainly keeping the Spa defence busy. The turning point of the game came in the 29th minute when Adrian Spillane netted to make it 1-7 to 1-3. Late points from Dan O'Donoghue and Brian Crowley left just four between the sides at the break, Spa 1-8 Templenoe 1-4.
Six minutes into the second half Templenoe had already hit an unanswered 1-5, Killian Spillane with the first four to level before Stephen O'Sullivan blasted to the net in the fifth minute and followed it with a well-taken point. Niall McCarthy and Killian Spillane exchanged points and going in to the final quarter Templenoe had the advantage, 2-10 to 1-9.
Spa kept battling all over the field and with points from Liam Kearney, Mike O'Donoghue and Evan Cronin, there was just a point between the teams with ten minutes remaining. Killian Spillane increased that gap to two but a Mike O'Donoghue score at the other again left just a point between them.
In the 25th minute Templenoe made a burst through the middle and Cian Hallissey kicked their third goal of the day shortly before being sent to the bench on a second yellow. Spa kept battling, and despite a final point by Teddy Doyle, Spa kept immense pressure on in the final few minutes, with their best effort was just inches wide of the post. Three late frees from Mike O'Donoghue reduced the deficit but at the end of the day Templenoe take the win, the game finishing Spa 1-16 Templenoe 3-12.
Spa are away to Glenbeigh/Glencar next Saturday April 13th at 6.30pm and will be home to Laune Rangers in the final round.
Spa Team: David Carroll, Eoin Fitzgerald, Dan O'Donoghue, Bryan Russell, Shane Cronin, Niall O'Mahony, Eoghan Cronin, Liam Kearney, Andrew Garnett, Ryan O'Carroll, Michael McCarthy, David Spillane, Niall McCarthy, Mike O'Donoghue, Evan Cronin, Subs: Ciaran Spillane, Gary Vaughan
Templenoe Team: Dan Cahalane, Michael Hallissey, Tadhg Morley, Kieran O'Neill, Gavin Crowley, John Spillane, Patrick Clifford, Sean Sheehan, Adrian Spillane, Teddy Doyle, Brian Crowley, Josh Crowley Holland, Stephen O'Sullivan, Killian Spillane, Cian Hallissey. Subs: Kieran McCarthy, Patrick Spillane
Referee: Tom McCarthy