DCU Dóchas Eireann 1-23 Mary Immaculate College 0-20
HE Senior Hurling Division 1 League Quarter Final
DCU continued their perfect record in the Higher Education Senior Hurling League as they defeated Mary Immaculate College in the quarter-finals. Cathal Beirne’s 1-3 and Denis Walsh’s pinpoint free-taking propelled the home team to victory, leaving M.I.C. unable to respond
The home side seemed unnerved in their first knockout match of the year and quickly established a foothold in the game. Despite conceding the first score – an impressive long-range strike from Jamie Ryan – the home team promptly settled.
Cathal Beirne glided down the left-hand side of the field before cutting inside and unleashing an inexorable strike into the back of the net to claim the game’s only goal. Beirne then claimed another score from a startlingly tight angle as DCU seemed like they were in for an easy evening of hurling.
However, M.I.C began to settle themselves into the contest. The side displayed some lovely ball work, playing out from the back and were rewarded for their efforts. Fionn and Fionn McDonagh both saw efforts sail between the posts as their side breathed down the neck of their opponents.
Both teams displayed impressive shooting on a calm but freezing afternoon in St Clare’s. As the first half approached its middle third, Donagh Murphy was forced to leave the field through injury as momentum swung in favour of M.I.C. Oisin Farrell and Fionn McDonagh knocked over scores to close DCU’s advantage to just a single point on the cusp of halftime.
Before that whistle did sound though Sam Bourke hit back with a quick double to give his side an air of comfort at half-time as the scoreline read DCU Dóchas Eireann 1-17 Mary Immaculate College 0-17.
Those two scores proved very timely for the home side as they began to put their foot down in the opening exchanges of the second half. They matched the exploits of their opponents and displayed great passing of their own resulting in scores for Conor Keohe and Paddy Doyle.
Even as DCU looked to have established true control of the game for the first time, M.I.C commendably battled to stay in the game. Oisin Farrell and Jamie Ryan managed to produce scores from less than ideal service displaying no disinterest in working off scraps.
However, their replies began to become increasingly sporadic while DCU started to share scores around the team. Glenmore native Billy Reid benefitted from this and produced two very impressive scores from deep inside his own half.
As the outcome of the game looked more assured, DCU began to use their bench as Connor Dolan and Ted Dunne entered the field of play. Cathal Beirne capped off a commendable performance with a wonderful score. Gathering the ball in midfield, bursting through the defence and knocking the ball over from just inside the 45-metre line.
As the final whistle loomed M.I.C naturally began pushing for a late goal. This goal would have come only for a wonderful double save from Cian Byrne in the dying minutes to all but confirm victory and crucially progression to the semi-finals for DCU.
Scorers – DCU Dóchas Eireann: Denis Walsh 0-8 (frees), Cathal Beirne 1-3, Sam Bourke 0-3, Billy Reid 0-3, Donagh Murphy 0-2, Paddy Doyle 0-1, Sam Byrne 0-1, Padraigh Moylan 0-1, Connor Keohe 0-1. Mary Immaculate College: Oisin Farrell 0-9 (0-5 frees), Dec McLaughlin 0-3, Fionn McDonagh 0-3, Jamie Ryan 0-2, Jack Daly 0-1, Ronnan O’Connor 0-1, Conor Hennessey 0-1.
DCU Dóchas Eireann: Cian Byrne; Paidi Lennon, Darragh Keogh, Ivan Bolger; Billy Reid, Padraigh Moylan, Paddy Langton; Sam Bourke, Paddy Doyle; Cathal Beirne, Conor Keohe, Sean Gallagher; Donagh Murphy, Denis Walsh, Darragh Carley.
Mary Immaculate College: Darragh Conroy; Pa Finn, Eoin Lawless, Willie Dore; Matt Rosengrave, Ben Currivan, Vince Harrington; Conor Hennessey, Jamie Ryan; Fionn McDonagh, Darragh Brennan, Sam Whealan; Jack Daly, Dec McLaughlin, Oisin Farrell.