Syddan into the last four

SYDDAN DUNDERRY 4-6 0-9

THREE goals in the opening half paved the way for a Syddan victory over the holders in the Corn na Boinne quarter-final at Paddy O’Brien Park on Saturday evening.

Syddan eventually finished with four goals, but that tally would have been much higher but for the heroics of David Jennings between the posts for Dunderry. The netminder produced a string of fine saves to prevent his side from going down to an even bigger defeat.

The game was played in miserable conditions and the sides were level at 0-3 each at the end of the opening quarter.

However, there was no stopping Syddan once Cormac Rowe struck for their opening goal after playing a one-two with Graham Garland on 17 minutes.

Brian Dillon added a second goal a minute later and Syddan eventually finished the half with a 3-4 to 0-7 lead.

Padraic Dillon set up Daire Rowe for goal number three as Dunderry struggled to stay in contention.

The scoring rate dipped in the third quarter, with midfielders Sean Clare and Conor Farrell swapping points.

Daire Rowe increased the Syddan lead with a point on 47 minutes and Brian Dillon struck for his second goal to put the issue beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining.

Substitute Ben Blakemore was denied a goal as Jennings got down well to block near the finish.

Syddan now meet Ballinlough in a semi-final in Carlanstown this Thursday evening. SYDDAN: Peter Sheehy; Mark Fedigan, Ronan Mooney, Kevin Garland; Stuart Fedigan 0-1, Andrew Garland, Michael Fedigan; Cathal Dardis, Sean Clare 0-1; Gary McManus, Daire Rowe 1-1, Graham Garland; Padraic Dillon, Brian Dillon 2-2 (0-1f), Cormac Rowe 1-1. Subs: Fiachra Ross for P Dillon, Cormac Rafferty for K Garland, Robbie Farrelly for D Rowe, Ben Blakemore for B Dillon.

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