GAELIC GAMES – DUBLIN SH ‘C’ SEMI-FINAL: MALAHIDE CS 3-17 CLONKEEN COLL 3-12
Malahide hit extra gear to seal slot
Daire Walsh
MALAHIDE Community School will face St David’s CBS in the Dublin Schools Senior ‘C’ Hurling Championship decider after they recorded a five-point victory over Clonkeen College at Broomfield on Tuesday.
David’s ensured home advantage worked in their favour when they faced St Mac Dara’s CC at the end of November and Malahide were hoping for similar fortune when they welcomed Clonkeen to the northside. In the first competitive fixture to take place on St Sylvester’s new astro pitch, Malahide held a slender edge during the early exchanges.
Playing with a strong wind at their backs, John Mangan’s side were 1-9 to 2-4 in front when the half-time whistle sounded. Dublin North Colleges duo Liam Foley and Darragh McLoughney were in sparkling form throughout, while half-forward Sean Murphy was another lively presence in attack.
They were under the cosh at various stages in the first half, however, as Clonkeen sought to keep themselves within touching distance. The Deansgrange outfit were ideally placed to turn the tables on their opponents, but it was Malahide who discovered an extra gear when the action resumed.
With McLoughney switching effortlessly between midfield and centre-forward, they managed to keep Clonkeen at arm’s length. Although their southside counterparts continued to pose a considerable attacking threat, the increased prominence of 2018 Dublin minor footballer Sean Guiden helped Malahide to ultimately advance.