St: Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff 1/2 Templeogue College, Dublin
Nathan Kiernan (17) Sam Howard (6), Stephen Cooke (58)
Competition newcomers Templeogue College from Dublin emerged victorious on a sunny afternoon in Oriel Park today (March 25), their opponents also newcomers to the qualifying stages, St: Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff:
The Ulster outfit put in a solid defensive display but it was eventually broke down with goals coming either side of their own: Cavan shot stopper Oisin Kiernan had an outstanding performance and the game could have had a few more goals only for his heroics between the sticks
The first chance of the game came in the first minute courtesy of Templeogue star Jack Ryan who attacked down the left side and managed to get a shot in which just went wide of the goal much to the delight of the Cavan keeper Oisin Kiernan
Early pressure from the Leinster side paid off after only 6 minutes when a move similar to one of Barcelona involving a number of players calmly passing the ball around the opposition before Ryan Meaney picked out Daragh O’Shea in the middle of the park and Daragh sent Sam Howard through on goal who let fly across the keeper with a powerful strike which hit the back of the net
It looked like the Dublin side might run away with the game only for a strong team performance from St: Clare’s who did find their feet as the game wore on:
James Clarke’s side levelled on 17 minutes when Adam O’Connor sent a free kick from his own half into the opposition box which wasn’t defended and Nathan Kiernan pounced to strike home from close range
What looked to be a one sided affair ended up a thrilling game to watch from a neutral perspective with chances falling to both teams in the first half: Templeogue did have the ball in the net again on 35 minutes as Matthew McMenamin netted but it was ruled out for offside:
Templeogue started the second half similar to the first with lively attacking play, Jack Ryan and Sam Howard combining well throughout the game:
Oisin Kiernan was called into action on 39 minutes when Dylan Reilly let fly after a good pass from Jack Ryan only for Oisin to pull off an excellent save
56 minutes in and St: Clare’s had a wonderful chance to take the lead when a defensive error from the Templeogue defence led to the ball crossing the face of goal which fell to Aaron Reilly who could only hit it straight at the Dublin keeper Emmett Byrne:
The Cavan School threatened again two minutes later with Gavin Tierney playing the ball to James Smith sent the ball into the box only for it to be cleared off the line by Templeogue’s Ross Dunphy
Aaron Reilly played a beautifully weighted ball into the 6 yard box for James Smith volley to be tame:
This proved to be a crucial point in the game as Templeogue counter attacked immediately with super sub Stephen Cooke the one who finished off the move with a tidy finish past the Cavan keeper
Cavan had one final chance to draw level which fell to the lively Aaron Reilly who just couldn’t find his scoring boots in Oriel Park:
Templeogue emerged victorious and their midfield dominance and creativity courtesy of Daragh O’Shea will give them a huge lift towards taking home the All Ireland crown for the first time in the school’s history: Cavan had the better chances but Templeogue just had that finishing touch which proved crucial:
ST: CLARE’S COLLEGE, BALLYJAMESDUFF: Oisin Kiernan, Sean Briody, Cormac Lynch, Patrick Lynch, Adam O’Connor, Cianan Kelly, Stephen Finglas, (Brian Malocca 59), Gavin Tierney, Nathan Kiernan, (Eddie Deveraux 46) James Smith, Aaron Reilly,
SUBS NOT USED: Oisin Lynch, Karl Symes Hughes
TEACHER: James Clarke
TEMPLEOGUE COLLEGE, DUBLIN: Emmett Byrne, Ryan Eustace, Sean Condron, Ross Dunphy, Matthew McMenamin, Ryan Meaney, Aaron Delaney, Daragh O’Shea, Sam Howard (Stephen Cooke 46), Dylan Reilly, Jack Ryan
SUBS NOT USED: Al Fitzpatrick, Conor Doyle, Evan Skabari, Daniel Stewart
TEACHERS: Déanna O’Byrne, Kevin Quigley
REFEREE: Gary Donnelly (Louth)