Smith boys ease Donore into final
The Smith brothers, Liam and Paul, displaying subtetly and opportunism at its best, produced the vital scores and opportune times for St. Mary’s to edge the Donore side into the final of the I.F.C. in a hard fought, but scrappy semi final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
They now await the winners of the Martinstown / Athboy-Harps semi final, to bring a conclusion to this marathon championship. Marys, with the wind at their backs, didn’t look to have built up a winning margin at half time when they led only 0-4 to 0-2. But six minutes into the second half Liam Smith carved out the opening and his brother, Paul supplied the finish for the game’s only goal, sufficient, it looked at that stage, to see the Donore team home.
But Meath Hill had no intention of throwing in the towel, their determination and superior strength allowing them to peg back Mary’s lead to just a point five minutes remaining. It was then, more than ever, that Mary’s needed the experience and skill of Liam Smith, and. when others round him were losing their composure, the cool, calculating head of the Meath forward, picked out his brother again, for a point which in the end, was the cushion that Marys needed for their final ticket.
Perhaps if a judgement was to be made on the share of possession, Meath Hill deserved to advance for they lorded the midfield, especially in the second half. But they failed to use that possession properly, and in the end paid the ultimate price.
It wasn’t however a match to inspire confidence in the future of Meath football, or in the chances of the eventual champions to make their mark at the higher level, for there was far too much aimless kicking, from both sides.
They both lacked accuracy near goal, kicking nine wides apiece over the hour and there were few scores, and few passages of combination football to lift the spirits of the same crowd on a raw afternoon.
Marys will need to improve for the final especially round midfield where they were outplayed by John Cunningham, and Tom Matthews who moved from the forty early in the match. Eamonn Watters fought manfully against the superior craft and strength of the Meath Hill pair, and when Shane Mulroy retired at the break Paul Haggins was introduced, allowing Derek Murphy the opportunity to try to contain Cunningham and Matthews.
The Donore side were fortunate too that their defence seldom wilted despite the pressure, Dennis Craven inspiring them with is confident handling in goals, David Fulham being the pick of the full-back line, showing excellent determination in the second half, and wing halfs, Emmet Lynch, who had an outstanding game, and John Donoghue, Mary’s have perhaps their most valuable assets.
Their attack however looked somewhat limited both in physique and scoring ability, but the Smith brothers who scored all but a point earned their keep with those vital scores and John Watters was another who battled bravely.
St. Marys: Denis Craven, Larry McGrane, Tom Matthews, David Fulham, Emmet Lynch, Al Everard, John Donoghue, Shane Mulroy, Eamon Watters, Peter Watters, Liam Smith 0-3, two frees John Watters 0-1, John Everard, capt., Derek Murphy Paul Smith 1-1. Subs P. Haggins for Mulroy.
Meath Hill: Brendan Lee, Noel Griffin, Hugh Maguire, Gerry McMahon, Sean Boyle, Dermot Griffin, Liam McCabe, John Cunningham, Pat Matthews, Gerry Matthews, Tom Matthews 0-2, Frankie Yorke, Gary Gunn, Tony Boyle 0-4, three frees, Philip Tully. Sub: Tony Kierans for Pat Matthews.