Starlights stroll to final
STARLIGHTS secured their final spot with a comfortable seven-point victory over a disappointing Forth & Bargy Gaels side in this under-21 ‘B’ football championship semi-final played at Tagoat on Saturday afternoon last.
Having trailed by two points at half-time, Starlights took the initiative on the resumption, going on to mastermind their victory with a total dominance of the outfield play, and had their forwards been more clinical in front of goal their victory margin would have been greater.
As a result of this victory they have now set up a final meeting with Castletown this Saturday afternoon.
For Forth & Bargy Gaels it was a disappointing end to their championship campaign.
The combination of three parishes, St. Mary’s (Rosslare), Our Lady’s Island and St. Fintan’s, had their best passage through periods of the opening thirty minutes, but their lack of firepower could see them manage just four points despite lots of possession.
In the second half they faded totally from the game failing to register a single score through that second 30 minutes.
It was a Neamhan Rossiter point after just four minutes that put the homeside in front, but amazingly this was the only score of the opening quarter, with Starlights keeper Dylan Cloke denying Rhys Broaders goal attempt with a fine block and clearance.
Twenty minutes into the game, Aaron Dobbs opened his sides account with a pointed free, while three minutes later the same player edged his side in front for the first time with a pointed free.
But it was the homeside who finished the half strongest, adding three points through Cathal Devereux, two, one free, and Rossiter, to lead 0-4 to0-2 at the interval. Within two minutes of the restart a long Aaron Dobbs point reduced the deficit to the minimum, while six minutes later it was Dale Donohoe who got on the end of a sweeping four man move to finish with a delightful shot to the corner of the net from 14 meters, giving his side a 1-3 to 0-4 lead, a lead they were never subsequently to relinquish.
After a typical tight game up to this, it was the Starlights who assumed total control with William Doyle kicking tow points, one free, along with a good point from sub Anthony Murphy in between to stretch their sides lead.
While the homeside mounted a string of attacks they were unable to provide the finish, and it was Starlights who finished out the game adding points through Dale Donohoe and Dylan McVeigh.
The final is on Saturday at 2pm in St Patrick’s Park. Starlights: Dylan Cloke; Declan Courtney, Ben Edwards, Ryan Hadley; Craig Foley, Dylan Redmond, Nathan O’Connor; Nicholas Doyle, Aaron Dobbs (0-3, 0-2 frees); Jack Doyle, Dale Donohoe (1-1), Dylan McVeigh (0-1); Declan Byrne, tyler O’Connor, William Doyle (0-2, 0-1 free). Subs: John Murphy for Courtney; Anthony Murphy (0-1) for TylerO’Connor; Michael Dempsey for Byrne.
Forth & Bargy Gaels: Eoin Cummins; Robert Cloney, shay Boggan, Paul Cummins; Quin Saunders, CianBoggan, Philip Lambert; Robert Coakley, Cian Meyler; Adam Devereux, Cathal Devereux (0-2, 0-1 free), Rhys Broaders; Dean Corish, Neamhan Rositer (0-2), David Pettitt. Subs: Conor O’Reilly for Corish; Liam O’Connor for Broaders; Kevin power for David Pettitt.
Referee: Jack Stafford (Clongeen).