DCU Dóchas Eireann continued their perfect start to the Senior Hurling Division 1 league after easing past Maynooth in the third round. Claiming 1-7 between Denis Walsh and Neil Hogan.
Maynooth began the game on the front foot and showcased impressive ball movement in the opening stages. Scores from Harry Shine, David Fogarty and Colm Fogarty helped put Maynooth 0-3 up in the first 10 minutes.
Even as DCU’s Denis Walsh began to become a regular on the scoresheet, the gap between the sides remained the same as Colm Fogarty managed to match the exploits of his opposite number.
After a slow start the homeside began to establish a foothold in the game. Just after the 20th minute mark, DCU delivered their first major blow.
Wing forward Cathal Berine glided down the right hand side of the field before squaring it to Neil Hogan. Hogan gathered the ball and unleashed a snapshot into the far corner rushing Niall Holland.
DCU were inches away from doubling their goal count but defending from Maynooth the away side were able to steer the ball towards safety.
However, a second goal did arrive before halftime. A very clever hand pass from Luke Murphy put Cathal Berne through on goal. Finding the back of the net to give DCU a commanding lead just before halftime.
As the referee Thomas Gleeson called the first half to a close the scoreline read DCU 2-8 Maynooth 0-9.
Although Maynooth claimed the first two scores of the second half, the Home team managed to find their groove. Denis Walsh repeated the feats of his opposite number by claiming a well taken score before Cathal Beirne grabbed his second goal of the game. Managing to wriggle free of a hard shot into the far corner.
Sean Gallagher, Luke Murphy and Sam Bourke were all amongst the scorers as Maynooth’s replies became increasingly less frequent in the closing stages. DCU began to look to their bench as the result of the game looked increasingly certain with James Carroll and Donal Murphy entering the field of play.
The pair joined forces to claim DCU’s fourth goal. Delaney wriggled free of his marker before delivering a handpass to Murphy. Murphy struck the ball into the far corner to put the game to a close.
Scorers – DCU: Cathal Beirne 2-0, Neil Hogan 1-2, Denis Walsh 0-4, James Carroll 1-0, Donal Shirley 0-3, Sam Bourke 0-2, Luke Murphy 0-2 (frees), Billy Reid 0-2, Darragh Carley 0-1, Sean Gallagher 0-1. Maynooth: Colm Fogarty 0-6 (0-2 frees), Thomas Meehan 0-3, David Fogarty 0-2 (0-1 free). Harry Shine 0-2, Darragh Queally 0-1 (free), Jarlaith Connolly 0-1.
DCU: Cian Byrne; Ivan Bolger, Darragh Keogh, Paidi Lennon; Billy Reid, Padraic Moylan, Paddy Langton; Donal Shirley, Sam Bourke; Cathal Beirne, Denis Walsh, Sean Gallagher; Luke Murphy, Neil Hogan, Darragh Carley. Subs Conor Dolan for Lennon, Donal Murphy for Luke Murphy, James Carroll for Hogan.
MAYNOOTH: Niall Holland; Mark Donnelly, Jamie Young, Ciaran Phelan; Tommy Maher, Dan Maher, Conor O’Toole; Cillian Hackett, Andy Hickey; Darragh Queally, Colm Fogarty, David Fogarty; Thomas Meehan, Harry Shine, Jarlaith Connolly.
REFEREE: Thomas Gleeson