TOM QUINLAN CUP SEMI-FINAL: COLAISTE EOIN 7-16 ST DECLAN’S COLLEGE 2-4
O FIACHNA IS EOIN STAR
Impressive Gaelscoil have far too much firepower for Declan’s
Daire Walsh
LIAM O FIACHNA and Jack O Rodaigh were in devastating form at The Bogies on Tuesday, when Colaiste Eoin booked their place in the Tom Quinlan Cup decider with a commanding semi-final victory over St Declan’s College.
The Gaelscoil (who were champions at this grade as recently as 2014) will now face Ardscoil Ris in the competition’s upcoming showpiece encounter, and based on their performance at the home of Naomh Fionnbarra, they will be formidable opponents for last year’s finalists.
DEADLOCK
Declan’s had defeated holders St Fintan’s HS at the quarter-final stage, and within the opening 60 seconds of the action, they had broken the deadlock with a point from Cian Delaney.
Yet, Eoin eventually assumed control of the play, and unanswered scores by full-forward O Rodaigh, Cian O Donaile, Barra O Donchu, Luke Breathnach, centre-back Conor O Grainne and O Fiachna helped them to develop a 0-6 to 0-1 cushion with 18 minutes gone.
Indeed, following three goals in as many minutes by Breathnach, O Rodaigh and O Fiachna, Eoin had created serious daylight between the teams.
Excellent approach work from Breathnach enabled O Fiachna to split the posts in the 27th minute, and even though Declan’s centre-forward Gerard Ryan brought this scoring sequence to an end with his first point of the game, a successful O Fiachna free helped Eoin towards an insurmountable 3-8 to 0-2 interval advantage.
O Fiachna and Declan’s midfielder Liam Keating swapped goals upon the resumption, but in addition to points from O Rodaigh (two) and Cuan O Maoileoin, the outstanding O Fiachna contributed a 1-1 salvo for Eoin.
The Booterstown outfit’s lead now stood at 21 points moving into the final-quarter, and despite conceding another point to the determined Ryan, majors from O Fiachna and second-half substitute Oisin Hills further enhanced Eoin’s superiority.
Declan’s persevered with their challenge, however, and they claimed a second goal – from substitute Ian McCormack – six minutes from the end of the contest.
A third Ryan point followed for the Nephin Road boys, but with Seamus O Domhnaill and O Maoileoin adding late scores, Colaiste Eoin progressed in style.
Scorers – Colaiste Eoin: L O Fiachna 2-6 (0-3f), J O Rodaigh 2-4, C O Maoileoin, L Breathnach 1-1 each, O Hills 1-0, C O Grainne, B O Donchu, C O Donaile, S O Domhnaill 0-1 each. St Declan’s College: L Keating, I McCormack 1-0 each, G Ryan 0-3 each, C Delaney 0-1.
COLAISTE EOIN: C Nuinseann; E O Cochlain, K O Se, F Mac Ambrois; B O Scanlain, C O Grainne, B O Donchu; R O Maoileoin, S O Cuanaigh; C O Donaile, C O Maoileoin, L O Fiachna; L Breathnach, J O Rodaigh, L Mac an Bhaird. Subs: E O Bailintin, M O Donaile, L O Riain, P O Riain, R O Muiri, S O Domhnaill, O Hills, P O Crotaigh, EM O Bradaigh, C O Gormain, C O Lochain.
ST DECLAN’S CBS: K Bridgeman; W Chelaru, L Brady, I Geoghegan; B Conroy, N Clerkin, J Kondo; C Foley, L Keating; M Meehan, G Ryan, L Walsh; S Donoghue, C McDonnell, C Delaney. Subs: A Boland, J Simpson, L McLoughlin, H Nguyen, I McCormack, G Losty, S Russell, R Fitzsimmons, C O’Driscoll, R O’Callaghan.
Referee: E Walker (O’Toole’s).