Malahide’s goal glut sinks ‘Nure
Owens leads the way for finalists
DUBLIN SCHOOLS SENIOR HURLING ‘B’ SEMI-FINAL
MALAHIDE CS………………………… 4-12
TERENURE COLLEGE……………… 2-10
By Daire Walsh
FIRST-HALF goals from Stephen McCarry, Eoin Kennedy and Simon Owens were of immense importance in Alfie Byrne Park last Thursday afternoon as Malahide Community School booked their place in the Dublin Schools Senior Hurling ‘B’ decider with an impressive victory over Terenure College.
Terenure did mount a spirited comeback in the second period and a 2-7 haul from their superb Dublin minor star, James Roche, certainly gave them a fighting chance, but the north Dublin school had enough in reserve to get over the line.
‘Nure had enjoyed a fine start to the game with points from Roche and centre-forward Thomas Walsh as Malahide were still trying to find their feet. They soon settled into the contest, though, and their first goal arrived four minutes in when McCarry buried past Terenure netminder Evan McDonnell having caught a long delivery into the square.
McCarry was proving to be a constant threat to the Terenure rearguard, and he was instrumental in their second goal just two minutes later when he once again got inside the cover. although McDonnell was equal to his effort on this occasion, half-forward Kennedy was on hand to flick to the net from the rebound.
This was a major sign of intent from Malahide, and despite Roche firing back with his second point from play, Malahide opened up a six-point lead with consecutive scores from Kennedy, Owens and Kevin McLoughney.
RAMPANT
A brace of frees from the dependable Roche did cut into their deficit, but Malahide concluded the opening period in rampant fashion, as points from McCarry (2), Owens (2) and McLoughney, as well as Owens’ first major of the tie after 24 minutes, helped them towards an 11-point cushion at the interval (3-8 to 0-6).
This looked to be an insurmountable advantage for Malahide, and Dublin minor Kevin O’Flynn did add to their tally with a ’65’ seven minutes after the rEstart, but this was sandwiched in between goals for Terenure from lethal full-forward Roche in the 32nd and 38th minutes respectively, the latter being an outstanding individual effort from a left-hand angle.
With just six points separating the sides once again, there was a real sense that Terenure could still salvage something from this fixture, and this was heightened by further points from Roche and midfielder Gareth Crowley.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Malahide were now starting to come under sustained pressure, but they didn’t panic, and well-taken scores from McCarry (2) and Owens certainly steadied the ship.
The dangerous Roche did find the target with two points from play in the closing stages, but a 59th-minute goal from Owens (finished superbly after he fought through the Terenure defence) meant that Malahide’s final passage was secured.
Scorers – Malahide CS: S Owens 2-3, S McCarry 1-4 (0-4f), E Kennedy 1-1, K McLoughney 0-2, K O’Flynn (’65’), D Murphy 0-1 each. Terenure College: J Roche 2-7 (0-2f), G Crowley 0-2, T Walsh 0-1.
MALAHIDE CS: D Colclough; C McCann, A Kavanagh, S Morgan; K McLoughney, C Quinn, T Colclough; K O’Flynn, C Byrne; C Dwyer, S Owens, E Kennedy; J Bannigan, S McCarry, P O’Sullivan.
Subs: E McCarthy for Bannigan (20), D Murphy for O’Sullivan (h-t), M Meaney for Morgan (51).
TERENURE COLLEGE: E McDonnell; C Seery, A Hogan, M Haddock; C Whelan, K Wigglesworth, T Henry; G Crowley, O Wigglesworth; J Teahen Burke, T Walsh, P Fergus; L McGovern, J Roche, B McEntee.
Subs: E Duffy for McGovern (h-t), M McGee for Fergus (h-t).
Referee: E Walker (O’Toole’s).