O Maolalai edges it for Chaitriona
HURLING: DUBLIN JUVENILE ‘C’ FINAL
SCOIL CHAITRIONA…………………….. 1-12
MALAHIDE CS………………………………. 2-06
By Daire Walsh
A FIRST-HALF goal from Donal O Maolalai proved crucial in Russell Park last Thursday afternoon, as Scoil Chaitriona came through a tight and tense encounter with Malahide Community School to secure the Dublin Schools Juvenile ‘C’ Hurling Title.
The Mobhi Road school had come into this decider on the back of an impressive 6-9 to 1-2 semi-final triumph over Colaiste Cois Life.
However, Malahide showed great character to get past Maynooth PP in their last-four fixture (on a scoreline of 5-5 to 3-8), and were always likely to be a hard nut to crack.
O Maolalai, lining out at top of the left, came up with an early 1-2 burst to give Chaitriona an early platform, and he was linking up to good effect with Donal Mac Ruairi and Dara O Broin in the inside line during the early moments of the contest.
ENDEAVOUR
Their north Dublin rivals soon settled into the proceedings and, following plenty of endeavour in the Chaitriona ’45’, Malahide managed to find the back of Ciaran O Laighleis’ goal towards the end of the opening period. Chaitriona didn’t panic, however, and some fine scores by O Maolalai, captain Sean I hIci and Cathal Caverley gave them a narrow two-point advantage (1-7 to 1-5) heading into the second half.
The final outcome of this tie looked far from certain, and a second Malahide major in the second period meant that Chaitriona had to stay on their toes for the final 30 minutes.
Chaitriona showed terrific spirit to get through in the end, however, as netminder O Laighleis and centre-back Peadar O Finneadha helped to keep a tight reign on the Malahide attack. There were also fine performances from midfielders Cian O Falluin and I hIci, as Chaitriona recorded a well-deserved three point victory.