DUBLIN JF ‘B’ FINAL
Mac Dara’s edge out neighbours
Daire Walsh
A SECOND-HALF goal from Nathan Dunne was the difference at Abbotstown on Tuesday, when St Mac Dara’s CC narrowly defeated Terenure College in a tense Dublin Schools’ Junior ‘B’ Football final.
As close neighbours in the south Dublin area, both sets of players are extremely familiar with each other – and it was no surprise that there was little to separate them throughout the course of the action.
‘Nure did have a strong breeze at their disposal in the opening period, but thanks to a brace of points from Dylan Ryan, Mac Dara’s developed an early cushion.
However, their opponents soon settled into the contest, and courtesy of fine scores by Seamus Noone and Ciaran O’Reilly, ‘Nure brought a 0-5 to 0-3 lead into the second half.
Indeed, another Noone point helped ‘Nure to extend their lead after the break, before Mac Dara’s reduced their deficit with back-to-back scores from Ryan and Alan Connolly.
Excellent approach play from Simon Murphy and Shane Lalor provided the platform for Dunne to find the back of the ‘Nure 12 minutes from time, and despite coming under pressure in the latter stages of the contest, Mac Dara’s ultimately claimed the silverware – and will progress to a Leinster semi-final.