DUBLIN PP SCH SH ‘C’ SEMI FINAL: SC CHAITRIONA 0-10 PORTMARNOCK CS 0-8
O Finneadha is captain fantastic in semi tie
Daire Walsh
SCOIL Chaitriona will contest the Dublin Schools’ Senior Hurling ‘C’ decider after they edged a close encounter with Portmarnock CS on Tuesday afternoon.
Philip Behan’s Portmarnock side were playing on their home turf for this penultimate round clash and they developed an early lead against their Mobhi Road counterparts.
A brace of points by midfielder Ryan Ó Cléirigh kept Chaitriona in touch, but in spite of fine performances from defenders Eoghan Cinnseallach, Brook Mac Eoin and Oísín Ó Maolagáin, Portmarnock held a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage at the midway point.
The hosts extended their lead with a well-worked score upon the resumption, but courtesy of points from Ó Cléirigh (free), Dónal Mac Ruairí and Conal De Búrca, Chaitriona forced their way back into the reckoning.
Portmarnock were proving to be stubborn opponents, though, and Chaitriona goalkeeper Colm Ó Braonáin had to be on his toes throughout.
However, following two points apiece in the closing moments by skipper Peadar Ó Finneadha and Ó Cléirigh (who finished with a personal tally of 0-5), Chaitriona sealed a 0-10 to 0-8 success.