1ST YEAR QUINLAN CUP FINAL
Terenure footballers pick up maiden triumph in Quinlan
Daire Walsh
TERENURE COLLEGE produced a magnificent display against Castleknock CC at the National Games Development in Abbotstown last Thursday to claim the Tom Quinlan First Year Football Cup.
This was a maiden triumph at this grade for Terenure and they managed it in considerable style. With Louis Moran in sparkling form, they had all of 22 points to spare (9-8 to 2-7) over the Carpenterstown Road outfit.
Known traditionally as a rugby school, there has been a significant rise of Gaelic games in Terenure during the past decade. They have accumulated a number of county hurling titles in recent seasons, including the Senior ‘C’ (2014) and Senior ‘B’ (2015) championship crowns.
A Senior ‘C’ football success followed in 2018 and last week’s victory represents another step in the right direction for the Templeogue Road nursery. They previously earned top honours in the Tom Quinlan Shield Section One competition back in 2013.
On that occasion, Sam Dardis (younger brother of Ireland Sevens skipper Billy) grabbed four goals in a resounding win over Lucan CBS. They were every bit as clinical against Castleknock – building on their impressive form en route to the showpiece.
Jointly-managed by former Wexford footballer Philip Wallace, ‘Nure kept a tight rein on their opponents and prospered in attack as a consequence. Moran’s superb tally of 2-4 set them on their way, but he was ably-supported in the scoring stakes.
Donal Murray and Daniel McCarthy caught the eye with some excellent strikes over the course of the hour.
Despite getting some joy inside the ‘Nure half, Castleknock’s opportunities were limited by the tenacious defending of Simon Horgan, Liam O’Connor and Dylan Timbs.
While Templeogue Synge Street had a large contingent within the squad, Ballyboden St Enda’s and St Jude’s were also represented on the day.
The local primary schools of St Joseph’s BNS, St Pius X and St Mary’s, Rathfarnham have also played key roles in their developments – allowing them to make a seamless transition into second level football.