DCU Dóchas Éireann St Pat’s campus 0-11
DCU Dóchas Éireann 0-13
Fresher B Hurling League Final
DCU Dóchas Éireann won Tuesday’s hurling freshers B final against DCU Dóchas Éireann St. Pat’s campus 0-13 to 0-11 in a close and passionate affair in St. Pats.
Glasnevin were hurling champs as they beat their Drumcondra counterparts in an all DCU final, in a game that showed defensive skill and lacked accuracy in shots.
DCU DÉ (in blue) and St. Pat’s (in yellow) started the game in a lacklustre fashion when attacking, with the first point not coming until 10 minutes into the game – a free converted by Tommy Walton – his first of 6 converted frees for the game.
One problem for both sides was the lack of accuracy in their shots, with 18 wides in the first half between the two teams, including mid-range frees.
Despite this the game showed a competitive edge in midfield and defence, as players from both sides put in a great effort to produce impressive blocks and challenge for the ball well.
One advantage for the eventual winners was the back three of Daire Keogh, Donal Ryan and David Murtagh, who showed good strength and composure under pressure in clearing the sliotar and blocking the balls that were pucked towards the goal.
The two sides had different approaches to getting scores in the first half. The hosts tried to get the ball as close to the goal as possible before shooting, usually taking their chances if they found space near the 20-metre line. This was often halted by DCU DÉ’s defence. However, it worked well when Kevin Murphy scored a good turning point for St. Pat’s.
The visitors however took many long shots and rarely had possession inside the 20-metre line.
This resulted in 9 wides for the half, but they still led 0-7 to 0-4 at halftime.
The second half started with St. Pat’s campus applying pressure on the visitors immediately, having 7 shots in the first 10 mins of the half and much of the possession – but only two of these shots were scores, and they posted five wides.
The failure to capitalise on this momentum was a crucial downfall to St. Pats as they could have built a strong lead to hold on to in this period – instead they only scored one point from play in the half.
DCU DÉ regained composure as the half progressed and the will to win was shown greatly by all the players.
The home goalkeeper, Ciarán McHugh was particularly passionate and showed his feisty side after scoring his first of two frees on the day.
In the competitive atmosphere every free given by the referee was met with argument and pumped up celebration, especially as most of the points at this end of the match were from frees.
The game’s most exciting period was in the last 15 minutes when the two sides were rarely separated by more than a point.
In the last five minutes there was a goalmouth scramble where Pat’s could have scored a winning goal. However, persistent defending from the visiting back 3 prevented the home side from breaking the deadlock.
In the closing minutes, Glasnevin buried the hosts chance of winning the game, when two quickfire points won the game in the last minute.
DCU Dóchas Éireann: Ronan Murray, Daire Keogh, Donal Ryan, David Murtagh (0-2), Jack Higgins, Charles Flynn, Conor Lennon, Jack McGraham, Liam Stacey (0-2), Cian Wilson (0-2), Sean Graham (0-5, 0-3f), Jack Doyle (0-2, 0-1 f), Bobby Tynam, Conor McCarthy, Mickey Bambrick. SUBS: Philip O’Brien, Gavin Jackson, Eoin Ryan, Cillian O’Finneida, James McGonagle, Oisin McCann, Ciaran Murphy, Dennis O’Brien, Michael Fitzpatrick.
DCU Dóchas Éireann St. Pats campus: Ciarán McHugh (0-2f), Ronan Haye, Cathal Laverly, Michael McBrearty, Conor Fallon, Eoin Porter, Niall Nimmo, Fran Kieran, Tiernan Lane, Pauric Kane, Kieran Conway, James McNally (0-1), Kevin Murphy (0-1), Tommy Walton (0-7, 0-6 f), David Murtagh. SUBS: Sam Murray, Cian Power, Kevin Fennelly.
Shane Brennan
Image Credit: Mark Carroll