Meanscoil on song
Duiske played catch-up from the off
M’SCOIL GHARMAN DUISKE COLLEGE 5-11 4-1
MEANSCOIL GHARMAN proved too strong for Kilkenny challengers Duiske College in the Top Oil Leinster Post Primary Schools Junior football ‘ D2’ championship final in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Monday of last week.
The new champions put their foot on the accelerator in the opening few minutes and their opponents were left playing catch-up throughout, a task that eventually proved too tough for the Graiguenamanagh boys to overcome.
Not that they threw in the towel after a slow start, as they probably played their best football just before and after half-time.
It meant that Meanscoil couldn’t take anything for granted and it was evident in their intensity of play that that was never likely to happen.
Somewhat naturally, with such small schools involved, Duiske were short of numbers because of winter illnesses and injuries, so the sides agreed to compete with 13-a-side, playing 25 minutes per half on the main pitch at the venue.
Meanscoil set about exploiting the spaces on the big pitch in the opening moments and were 3-4 to nil up after 17 minutes.
Eoghan Ó Lionáín was first to find the net after Shane Jackman’s original effort was blocked in the second minute, and Eanna Ó Siúird and Barry Cloake soon added points to the early major salvo.
An intelligent Cloake ball into the goalmouth picked out Darragh Grant on the run, and he fisted past Seán Hamilton to make it 2-2 to nil.
After Odhran Mac Eochaidh and Brian Ó Donnchú pointed, Grant raised his second green flag in seven minutes.
When Duiske fought back with a close-range punched Colin Hamilton goal, plus a Ted Dunne major on the stroke of half-time,
Meanscoil’s lead was just 3-5 to 2-0.
It gave the Kilkenny boys something to fight for and they came out after the break with added intensity to their play.
Yet Meanscoil Gharman were ready for it. Weathering the storm for the first seven minutes, Grant’s point eventually broke the scoring hiatus and from there things were easier.
Cloke majored ten minutes into the second-half, but Duiske did reply through Dunne.
After Muiris Mac Ragnail pointed, Grant completed his major hat-trick (5-8 to 3-1).
Despite a late consolation goal from Seán Meagher, Meanscoil Gharman ended a superb contest with an Eoin Ó Cionnaith point putting the seal on the title in the final minute.
Meanscoil Gharman: Jack Púirséail (Crossabeg-Ballymurn); Séamus Ó Broin (Marshalstown-Castledockrell, capt.), Adhamh Caomhánach (St. Joseph’s); Dónal Ó Riada (Shelmaliers), Muiris Mac Ragnail (Glynn-Barntown, 0-1), Eanna Ó Siúird (Oulart-The Ballagh, 0-1); Pádraig Ó Duibheagáin (Sarsfields), Barry Cloake (Shelmaliers, 1-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘45); Eamon Ó Móráin (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), Brian Ó Donnchú (Shelmaliers, 0-1), Eoghan Ó Lionáin (St. Martin’s, 1-1); Darragh Grant (Sarsfields, 3-1), Shane Jackman. Subs. (rolling) - Cónal Ó Céibheannaigh (Sarsfields), Odhrán Mac Eochaidh (Ballyhogue, 0-2), Eoin Ó Cionnaith (St. Mary’s, Rosslare, 0-1), Oran D’Arcy, Keelan Angood, Tadhg Bonnington (Glynn-Barntown), Adhamh Ó Murchú (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), also Aaron Ó Coigligh (Glynn-Barntown), Donnacha Jackman (Shelmaliers).
Duiske College: Seán Hamilton; Conor Byrne, Seán O’Neill; Gavin Kielthy, Stephen Foley (0-1), Colin Hamilton (1-0); Shane Cleary, Charlie Kielthy; Ted Dunne (2-0), Seán Meagher (1-0), Stephen Kinsella, Ciarán Savage, Keelan Byrne. Subs. (rolling) - Devon Kielthy, Josh Mahon, also Pádraig Cussen, Oisín Kelly, Jack Dunne, Mike Hogan, Danny Kennedy, Alfonso Rodriguez, Martin Barron, Ewan Morgan, James Morgan.
Referee: John Bennett (Tullogher-Rosbercon).
UPDATED FIXTURES for the SSE Airtricity First Division were released on Friday, with a shield now set to start on February 21 before the league proper on March 27. Uncertainty has surrounded the competition due to the issues relating to Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ and Limerick.
The initial news that the Tallaght club’s second string had been admitted to replace the Shannonsiders provoked anger among the other nine contenders.
And there was a new twist in the tale on Friday week when the FAI confirmed that Limerick FC can apply for a licence to compete in the First Division and the under-age leagues, after coming out of examinership on December 11.
What will happen next? Will Limerick take part?
If so, it looks like Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ will be staying, despite those objections, leading to an eleven-team division.
As it stands, Wexford are due to begin away to Cobh Ramblers in the shield on Saturday, February 22, with the first league action away to Athlone Town on Friday, March 27.
The new squad has been busy with pre-season games, having played Shelbourne, Waterford and St. Patrick’s Athletic so far, and with Bohemians to come in TU Blanchardstown on Saturday, February 1, at 12 noon.
Three more new signings have arrived, namely wingers Janabi Amour Jnr. from Drogheda United and Charlie Smith from U.C.D., and defender Kristian Crawford from Longford Town.
Meanwhile, Mokhtar Addani has been appointed academy director at the Ferrycarrig Park club.