ST VINCENT’S FIGHT BACK TO SECURE GO AHEAD SENIOR 2 FOOTBALL TITLE
ST VINCENT’S 1-8
ST SYLVESTER’S 0-8
By Daire Walsh
St Vincent’s produced a strong second half fightback at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon to secure the Go Ahead Dublin Senior Two Football Championship crown at the expense of St Sylvester’s.
Four points behind with 20 minutes to play, Vins registered 0-7 without reply to seal their maiden SFC2 triumph. A 17th-minute goal from Sean Lowry proved crucial in the end, but former Dublin senior stalwart Tomas Quinn and Nathan Mullins also contributed three points apiece for the victors.
This game was particularly poignant for Mullins as it took place just over a fortnight on from the sad passing of his father Brian.
2-12 to 1-10 winners over St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh at the semi-final stage of the competition, Vins had plenty of experience within their ranks for this decider. Along with Quinn, Vins netminder Michael Savage has featured prominently for Dublin at inter-county level in the past while centre half-back Brendan Egan was a mainstay in the Sligo squad for many years.
Like his namesake and opposite number Savage, Syls goalkeeper Michael Shiel has donned the Sky Blue jersey in recent times. The Broomfield outfit entered this game on the back of a 1-11 to 0-11 success over St Brigid’s in the penultimate round and were confident of adding a Senior Two county title to their list of honours.
Following an initially cagey opening to the contest, it was Syls who broke the deadlock courtesy of a long-distance free from Sean Guiden (son of former Dublin footballer Niall) on eight minutes.
Vins lost wing-back Mark L’Estrange to injury just before this opener – Jarlath Curley took his place in defence – and they fell further behind when Guiden kicked a point from play in the 11th minute. This was followed by an excellent effort from his inside partner Dylan Connolly to give the Malahide men a firm stranglehold on the action.
Vins were always expected to settle, however, and dramatically moved into the ascendancy on 18 minutes. After he was fed inside by William Costello, full-forward Lowry took on his marker and fired a low shot beyond the reach of Shiel.
Costello followed this score with a routine free off his left boot, edging his side into the ascendancy in the process. Even though this was a set-back for Syls in the wake of their impressive start to the contest, there was no reason for them to panic just yet.
Guiden further showcased his dead-ball prowess when curling a 40-metre free between the uprights and marauding half-back Paidi White had them back in front with a fine point at the end of an elongated move in the 26th minute.
Playing with a slight wind advantage, Syls largely controlled possession in the opening period. Vins kept themselves in contention with some strong defensive work, but another Guiden free deep into first-half stoppage-time left them two points adrift (0-6 to 1-1) at the interval.
Syls, on the other hand, had momentum on their side and subsequently increased the gap after the resumption. Stephen Cunningham got them up and running again with a fine point and substitute Ross Keogh also conjured a white flag score to leave the 1996 Dublin SFC champions four in front on the stroke of 40 minutes.
Vins were still trying to find their feet in the second period of play, but finally hit a purple patch either side of the third-quarter mark. After Mullins kicked a brace of brilliant points in quick succession, Quinn did likewise to ensure parity was restored with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.
The Marino men proceeded to pass up some promising scoring opportunities, before finally regaining the initiative with another Quinn free on 54 minutes. They were now beginning to play with a greater degree of confidence and a Costello point off a swift counter attack moved them a step closer towards the silverware on offer.
Mullins was a colossal figure for Vins throughout the second half and it was perhaps fitting that he would have the final say. His delicate left-footed effort in time added on helped to create additional daylight on the scoreboard and ultimately confirm a three-point victory for his team.
Scorers – St Vincent’s: Tomas Quinn (2f), Nathan Mullins 0-3 each, Sean Lowry 1-0, William Costello 0-2 (1f). St Sylvester’s: Sean Guiden 0-4 (3f), Paidi White, Stephen Cunningham, Dylan Connolly, Ross Keogh 0-1 each.
ST VINCENT’S:Michael Savage; Conor O’Brien, Craig Wilson, Michael Concarr; Mark L’Estrange, Brendan Egan, Shane O’Leary; Gavin Burke, Nathan Mullins; Sean O’Malley, Albert Martin, James McCusker; William Costello, Sean Lowry, Tomas Quinn. Subs: Jarlath Curley for Lestrange (8), Sean Lambe for Egan, Joshua Kelly for Martin (both 39), Adam Giblin for McCusker (44), Cian O’Brien for Costello (59).
ST SYLVESTER’S:Michael Shiel; Sean O’Donnell, Josh Bannon, Andrew Cunningham; Paidi White, Glenn Hazley, Dan O’Leary; Stephen Cunningham, James Cotter; Karl Archbold, Alex Wright, Ronan Palmer; Sean Guiden, Dan Brennan, Dylan Connolly. Subs: Aaron Lynch for O’Donnell, Ross Keogh for Archbold (both half-time), Mark Hazley for Connolly (46), Euan Farquharson for A Cunningham (50), Luke Troy for Guiden (60).
Referee: PJ Murray (St Finian’s, Swords).