Heartbreak for DKIT Freshers in Division 2 league final

It was disappointment for the DKIT Freshers side on Tuesday night last, as they lost out by a solitary point in their Division 2 league final to DCU in Dundalk.

Ultimately, it was the Dublin college who edged it over the hour, with late scores from forwards Finn Duffy and Michael Donohoe proving decisive.

DKIT had led by 1-10 to 0-12 early on in that final quarter, thanks to a wonderful score from the talented Oisin McGorman, who finished with 0-4 to his credit and 26 possessions.

However, DCU capitalised on some costly errors from the home side in possession to pinch those final two scores to seal victory for them, in a side which also featured former Ardee Community School student Eoghan Dillon and Cooley Kickhams’ pair Jason Brady and Cian McGuinness, the latter introduced as a late substitute for the team wearing yellow.

It was DCU who made the fast start, finding the range with all of their first five shots at the posts, to lead DKIT by 0-5 to no score inside the first 10 minutes.

Following two early frees from Finn Duffy, DCU were direct and caused the home side problems, particularly on the right flank thanks to the hard running of wing back Cathal McCooey, who won several breaks on kickouts, and drove at the opposition every chance he had.

After DKIT keeper Kian Mulligan tipped a Jason Brady strike over the bar, McCooey picked up the resultant kickout, to fire over DCU’s fourth score, before a wonderful strike from range by Conor Sharpe, gave DCU that five point lead.

DKIT kicked some early wides in front of the posts, but they finally managed to open their account through a fine strike from John Joe Hughes, following a fluent passing move involving Jake Corrigan, and Oisin McGorman. That left it at 0-5 to 0-1 in DCU’s favour at the end of the first quarter.

Conor Sharpe who was sharp in name and nature throughout, set up Michael O’Sullivan for a simple score from close range to restore that five point lead for DCU.

However, DKIT to their credit showed tremendous heart, as they fought their way back into the contest.

Oisin McGorman (mark) and Michael O’Sullivan traded scores, before DKIT rattled off several scores in a row in the run into half time to narrow the deficit to one at the interval.

DKIT stepped things up in that second quarter, forcing DCU into more turnovers and pressing up on DCU’s kickout, including their keeper Kian Mulligan!

Oisin McGorman (2), John Joe Hughes (f), and the hard-working Liam McCauley made it 0-7 to 0-6 at the break, a scoreline the Dundalk college would have taken with 10 minutes on the clock.

In that period, DKIT could have taken a lead into the break. Clan na Gael forward Liam O’Hanlon was unfortunate not to grab a green flag, having had one major ruled out for a square ball following a barnstorming run from Liam McCauley.

The young forward also fired wide on the turn from a quick free, before being denied by DCU keeper Hughie Doyle, which was a fine save.

Second Half:

DKIT showed their intend from the second half throw up, when Liam McCauley levelled the sides with his second point either side of half time.

Moments later, DCU regained the lead through a Michael Donohoe free following a foul on Sean Tyrell.

Liam O’Hanlon who had been threatening to hit the back of the net, did so in spectacular fashion, when he crashed the ball to the net, in a lovely passage of play from DKIT, which saw the lively DD Reilly collect a John Joe Hughes foot pass, before setting up O’Hanlon, who did the rest with a wonderful finish, giving DKIT a 1-7 to 0-8 lead, 2 minutes into the second half.

However, DKIT failed to capitalise on this early tonic, failing to score for the next 11 minutes.

The second half saw DCU win 4 out of 10 on DKIT’s kickout, with Jason Brady, and Sean Byrne working hard in midfield, supported by the excellent Cathal McCooey who was a constant thorn in the side.

With Finn Duffy impressing in attack, DCU carried scoring prowess, and Duffy (2) and Michael Donohoe (f), gave DCU a 0-11 to 1-7 lead after 43 minutes.

DD Reilly who never stopped offering himself as an outlet ball for DKIT, set up John Joe Hughes to clip the ball over the bar to level things up. But another Finn Duffy free meant that DCU lead by a point by the end of the third quarter at 0-12 to 1-8.

John Joe Hughes who finished with 27 possessions, returned the favour for DD Reilly who found the range for a point which his efforts particularly deserved.

Following a Michael McCreesh turnover in defence, John Joe Hughes set Oisin McGorman away for the Latton man to put DKIT ahead with a fine score to make it 1-10 to 0-12 after 48 minutes.

However, that would prove to be the last time DKIT would trouble the scoreboard, as the tension grew towards the end, with DCU retaining their composure to pinch the Division 2 title, thanks to a Finn Duffy free, and a Michael Donohoe effort from play, with DKIT who finished with 14 men late on, unable to muster an equaliser.

Despite coming up short, DKIT have illustrated that they are capable of enjoying a long run in the Fresher championship, which commences in the New Year, with plenty of precocious stars on view, the future remains bright.

DKIT: Kian Mulligan; Michael McCreesh, Conor McKenna, Darren McMullan; Jake Corrigan, Cormac McKeown, Eoin O’Hanlon; Robert Gallagher, Thomas MacNamara; Liam McCauley (0-2), Oisin McGorman (0-4) (1 mark), (1f), Fionn Connolly; DD Reilly (0-1), John Joe Hughes (0-3) (1f), Liam O’Hanlon (1-0).

Subs: Kian Duffy for Connolly (HT), Kyle Doherty for Liam O’Hanlon (49), Oisin Hagan for MacNamara (56), Callum Shevlin for Eoin O’Hanlon (56).

DCU: Hughie Doyle; Eoghan Dillon, Oisin Daly, Jamie Kenehan; Cathal McCooey (0-1), Fiach Hartigan, Finn White; Sean Byrne, Jason Brady (0-1); Tom Callaghan (0-1), Conor Sharpe (0-1), Sean Tyrell; Michael O’Sullivan (0-1), Finn Duffy (0-7) (4f), Michael Donohoe (0-2) (1f).

Subs: Matthew Diamond for Callaghan (40), Cian McGuinness for Donohoe (58).

Referee: Pat Clarke