IT WAS a satisfying day for substitute Graham Healy as he grabbed two smashing goals in St. Anne's eventual five-point victory over battling Duffry Rovers in this entertaining WFC Senior football championship quarter-final at Wexford Park on Saturday last.

Healy was introduced as a substiute midway through the opening half and was not long on the pitch when he pounced for his first goal, at a time when his side was struggling for scores. And his second, a splendid finish three minutes from the end, saw off Duffry Rovers who had hauled themselves back to within one point of their opponents, and looked capable of causing a shock, such was the quality of their play.

Duffry Rovers had a wonderful opportunity of securing a victory with a fine second-half display, but their wayward finishing came back to haunt them. They kicked some dreadful wides at crucial periods of the second-half when a little more steadiness in front of goal would surely have resulted in scores. But once they failed to take their opportunities they were punished by a storming St. Anne's finish that ended their championship dreams for this season.

It was a good display from St. Anne's, coming off the back of two hurling defeats during the previous seven days. They showed lots of appetite, while few could deny their battling qualities which shone through, particularly in the crucial closing minutes when they fought back for crucial scores at a time when the game seemed to be going away from them.

Seán Gaul's appetite for work was demonstrated throughout the 60 minutes with an outstanding defensive display, while David O'Connor won crucial midfield possession in the second-half, while up front Liam Óg McGovern and substitute Graham Healy took on the responsibility left by the injured Redmond Barry to power their way through to the semi-final.

Duffry Rovers will be disappointed not to have turned their second-half display into a win. Paul Nolan and Aidan Byrne worked tirelessly in defence, while Eddie Doyle had a fine outing in midfield. In attack the main threat came from Johnny Flynn-O'Connor and Alan O'Neill, but they will have nightmares over their second-half finishing for some time to come.

St. Anne's, playing with the breeze, went ahead inside 30 seconds through a Niall Gilbane point, but the Duffry were quickly back on terms through Micheál Doyle. Just five minutes into the game, midfielder Eddie Doyle stormed forward to drive a superb shot across 'keeper Seamus Mythen into the opposite corner of the net.

The sides went on to trade points to leave them level (0-5 to 1-2) after 20 minutes. Then in the space of two minutes St. Anne's struck for two goals, the first after 21 minutes from Liam Óg McGovern who neatly finished from close range, while Graham Healy showed superb first touch to steer home his goal from outside the small square, a score that left his side with a 2-6 to 1-2 interval lead.

Within four minutes of the re-start Matthew FlynnO'Connor pointed a free, while one minute later it took a superb save from 'keeper Seamus Mythen to keep out what appeared a goalbound shot from Matthew Flynn-O'Connor. St. Anne's responded with a Niall Gilbane pointed free after 38 minutes, but Duffry Rovers went on to take the initiative.

Points flowed from Alan O'Neill, Eddie Doyle ('45), Paul Nolan, O'Neill with two, and Johnny FlynnO'Connor, to leave the minimum (2-7 to 1-9) separating the sides with seven minutes remaining.

Three minutes from the end Healy won possession from a breaking high ball, and swivelled onto his right foot to crash a superb shot to the roof of the net. When Liam Óg McGovern added a further point as the game moved into additional time, St. Anne's had secured their semi-final spot.