GAA: TOM QUINLAN CUP
Daire Walsh
PALMERSTOWN CS progressed to the Tom Quinlan First Year Football Plate decider with an impressive 9-7 to 4-3 victory over Ballinteer CS on Monday.
Despite having to travel to their opponents’ back yard, Colin Trant’s charges came through this last-four showdown with flying colours. After finishing on top of their group in the early stages of the competition, Palmerstown embarked on the knockout rounds in a confident mood.
Including the local St Pat’s club, they also draw on players from Liffey Gaels, Round Tower Clondalkin and Ballyfermot De La Salle. With Fionn O’Riordan, Oisin Fleming and Bailey Ryan in fine form, the visitors battled admirably against a strong breeze in the opening half.
Custodian Nathan De Boitte produced a superb save to keep Ballinteer at bay, while centre-forward Lee Cunningham proved to be an effective link between defence and attack. Despite the game remaining in the melting pot at the break, Palmerstown had the measure of their southside counterparts in the second period.
Thanks to clinical three-pointers by Matthew Dunne and Cillian Griffen (two), they effectively placed the outcome beyond all doubt. In addition to Conor O’Gorman and Daniel Hand increasing the gap with eye-catching scores, Leon Griffen and Jack Hoolahan ensured there was no way back for Ballinteer at the opposite end.