Saints edge ahead in race for second
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ST DOMINIC’S completed the double over the Seasiders, repeating their win in the corresponding match in the first round with Brian Brady’s peach of a free kick seven minutes from time proving decisive at Sandy Lane on Saturday in the under-17 league.
The sides at kick-off were on the same points and the result lifts the winners above the deposed champions with the chance of securing the runners-up spot behind Muirhevnamor who already have the title in the bag.
The game was notable for the high quality of the goals, with Cathal McElroy setting the standard as he put Dominic’s ahead after four minutes with a very well taken goal. Put clear inside the Rock penalty box he drove a low pinpoint angled shot from wide of the right hand post across the Rock goalkeeper Jack Donohgue inside the far bottom corner of the net.
Rock playing with a helping cross breeze made more and better openings after that with Oran O’Hanlon not having the best of luck, and his control also let Isaac McGahon down when in a good position in the box.
Tom McBride put in a thumping tackle to stop O’Hanlon in his tracks just on the edge of the Dominic’s 18 yard box, when he was poised to break through.
Then matchwinner Brady was unable to adjust his body to take advantage when a corner kick found him free in front of the Rock goal.
The home side’s Ben Collier beat two players in an incisive run through the middle to set up O’Hanlon but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough, and a Dominic’s defender got in a potentially goal saving block.
Collier played a delightful ball inside the Dominic’s full back on the left for Aaron McQuillan to run in behind the defender and picked out the unmarked McGahon at the back post but he couldn’t collect the cross.
O’Hanlon then experienced more frustration as the ball was taken off his toe in the box , but finally it came good for him and how! He took the ball down some 40 yards out in space and measured the most exquisite finish that curled on the wind from outside the angle of the top of the post and crossbar to just inside the top corner of the net to equalise on the stroke of half time.
The goal gave Rock the impetus to subject the visitors to sustained pressure for the opening ten minutes of the second-half. Having weathered it Dominic’s took over as the attacking force and displayed the threat that Rock lacked to create a succession of chances before Brady delivered the telling blow.
The best of their opportunities fell to Cain Bromley, who was pushed forward in the second period, and it took a great save with his feet by Donohue as the Saint Dominic’s player closed in on goal to leave the score level.
Then Brady exacted the full price when Rock just clinging on conceded a foul just outside the 18 yard line. He lifted the free kick over the wall and curled it into the near corner despite a valiant attempt by Donoghue to keep it out when at full stretch he got his hand to the ball.
Somewhat in keeping with his goalmouth frustrations Rock scorer Oran O’Hanlon less than a minute later saw his shot rebound off the inside of the foot of the post and was cleared to deny his side a draw.
ROCK: Jack Donoghue, Luke Hoban, Bryan Soraghan, Kevin Campbell, Caolum McCabe, Edward Otesanya, Oran McParland, Ben Collier, Isaac McGahon, Oran O’Hanlon, Aaron McQuillan, Lewis McKeown, Ope Stephans.
DOMINIC’S: Jack McKenna, Tom McBride, Darren Matthews, Mark Lee, Davis Jackson, Fintan Brady, Cain Bromley, Colm Bellew, Cathal McElroy, Oisin Conroy, Brian Brady, Darren Mundow, Kyle-Duffy-Hayes, Jack Barron. Pictures: Aidan Dullaghan