MATCH REPORT
11/12/14
O’Toole Park
St. Mac Daras 1-04
Terenure College 0-03
A Game of Two Halves
In what was very poor weather conditions these two neighbouring schools fought out an immense tussle to win the Dublin Colleges U-14 B football title. The rain before and after the game ensured a difficult afternoon for all involved and the players and officials performed with distinction.
Terenure started the game aided by a very strong wind and found it hard to break down a resolute Mac Daras defence led by full back Michael O’Keeffe. It was in fact the winners who opened the scoring in 10th minute when good midfield work by Adam McGarr and Jack Boyle led to Alan Connolly scoring a goal, the ball getting caught in the wind and ending up in the top corner. A real tonic for the Templeogue side whose chances of scoring against the wind were very few.
It was backs to the wall stuff from the eventual winners for the last 20 minutes of the first half as Terenure laid siege on the Mac Daras goal, but again their rock solid defence held tough with corner backs Simon Murphy and Sean Wynne clearing ball after ball.
Terenure to their credit, kept trying to unlock the defence and kicked two frees courtesy of Midfielder Seamus Noone. Terenure nearly scored the maximum in the 25th min but a fingertip save from Daire Kane-O’Toole prevented this. Terenure eventually levelled on the stroke of half time and the scores were 1-00 to 0-03.
Mac Daras emerged a rejuvenated team in the second half and attacked Terenure at every opportunity, scoring 4 quick fire points in the space of 8 minutes from the impressive Ciarain Hogan, hardworking centre forward Dylan Ryan, Cian Rushe and the score of the game from wing back Chris Duffy. However after 15 min of the second half all the scoring was done. The last 15 minutes, players tired and the heavy underfoot conditions really showed.
After the match Tom O’Donnell presented the cup to Mac Daras captain Adam McDermott amid wild celebrations.
The Victors now qualify for the Leinster Final at the end of January against the winners of South Leinster and North Leinster.