A final quarter scoring spree saw DKIT seal their place in the semi final of the Trench Cup with victory over Garda College

A final quarter scoring spree saw DKIT seal their place in the semi final of the Trench Cup, as they secured this nine point victory over Garda College in Templemore on Tuesday.

Despite the healthy scoreline, DKIT endured a tough test for most of the game, which saw a physical Garda College make life awkward for the Dundalk side for large parts of this clash, with DKIT trailing by a point at the break. Joe Burke’s major gave the Garda College a 1-6 to 0-8 advantage at the break.

With the game approaching the 40th minute, DKIT still trailed their opponents by 1-7 to 0-9, with Eamon McEneaney’s side forced to reshuffle the pack, introducing Fresher’s John Joe Hughes and DD Reilly from the bench, with the pair going on to play a decisive role in the final outcome.

Having wrestled the lead back, DD Reilly calmly slotted to the Garda College net to give DKIT a crucial five point lead heading into the last 10 minutes, before the Dundalk side closed the game out, with Armagh under 20 panellist John Joe Hughes firing over four points following his introduction, as DKIT made it two wins from two in their group, and the chance to play for a possible home semi final when they take on Trinity College next week.

Early on, it was DKIT who led the charge, leading by 0-5 to 0-2, in a half where they needed to be patient in possession, in order to break down a defensive Garda College.

Such long passages of play, saw Monaghan footballer Stephen Mooney grab three of these scores, including one mark.

Meath’s Liam Stafford opened the scoring, following a long passage of play, which saw Thomas Og Duffy heavily involved.

Two Mooney strikes came either side of a Niall Finnerty effort from play for Garda College, before Crossmaglen’s Aaron O’Neill treated those in attendance to arguably the score of the day with a wonderful effort from distance with the outside of his right foot.

In transition, Garda College did spring quickly on the county attack, with DKIT keeper Daire O’Shea standing up big to deny Cian Boyle from close range, in a counter attack through the hands involving Ryan Traenor and Niall Finnerty.

Niall Finnerty set up Darren Quinn to close the gap to two, before a Stephen Mooney mark made it 0-5 to 0-2 in DKIT’s favour at the end of the first quarter.

DKIT were also guilty of missing their fair share of goal chances, with Meath’s Jamie Murphy firing wide from close range, following a neat Tadgh McDonnell pick out, while Garda College produced some brave last ditch blocking to deny Murphy again from close range, in a move which started from a turnover by the Meath under 20 player.

Niall Finnerty and Hughie Corcoran (f) traded efforts, before a wonderful strike from range by Ardee’s Tadgh McDonnell left DKIT ahead by 0-7 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.

However, Garda College turned up the heat to leave their opponents stunned, scoring 1-3 without reply.

Following a well taken strike from Ciaran Lawless, Garda College left two between the side thanks to a point from Eoin Boyle, before the home side took a surprise lead.

When Cian Boyle intercepted a DKIT kickout, and headed straight for goal, picking out Joe Burke, who palmed the ball to the net to give the hosts the lead at 1-6 to 0-7 with four minutes left until the break, in a half where they scored 1-6 from 11 shots.

DKIT to their credit responded, when Thomas Og Duffy set up Stephen Mooney to raise his fourth white flag of the game, leaving just a point between the sides at half time. Both players finished with 20 possessions over the hour.

Second Half:

The opening 10 minutes saw Garda College retain their one point advantage, thanks to the free taking of Darren Quinn, whose two early frees kept their noses in front by 1-8 to 0-10 by the end of the third quarter.

In that time, Monaghan’s Oisin McGorman and a sweetly struck Jamie Murphy 45, responded for DKIT. Prior to his 45, Murphy’s latest goal attempt was thwarted, thanks to a fine save from Templemore’s keeper Damien Boyle, following a fine move through the hands involving Tadgh McDonnell.

Following the introduction of John Joe Hughes and DD Reilly, momentum soon began to swing DKIT’s way, as Garda College began to run out of steam down the home straight, with outscoring them by 1-7 to 0-1 in that final quarter.

John Joe Hughes swung over a point with his left foot, the first of four points he would register in that period, before Stephen Mooney fired over, following a move which began from a Daire O’Shea kickout, involving Cormac McKeown, Oisin McGorman and Tadgh McDonnell.

Moments later, Jamie Murphy collected a Garda College kickout, before setting up Roche’s DD Reilly who slotted home a major that DKIT had threatened, finally breaching a stubborn opponent. That made it 1-13 to 1-8 in the visitors’ favour with 10 minutes left.

From there, DKIT added further gloss to the scoreline, thanks to John Joe Hughes (3) and Stephen Mooney, as DKIT sealed their place in the Trench Cup semi final, heading into their final group game against Trinity College next week.

Dundalk IT: Daire O’Shea; Conor Clarke, Ben Goss Kieran, Adam McKeown; Tadgh McDonnell (0-1), Thomas Og Duffy, Liam Stafford (0-1); Cormac McKeown, Aaron O’Neill (0-1); Ryan Duffy, Hughie Corcoran (0-1) (1f), Oisin McGorman (0-1); Daniel Ehichoya, Stephen Mooney (0-6) (1 mark), Jamie Murphy (0-1) (one ’45).

Subs: John Joe Hughes (0-4) for Corcoran (39), DD Reilly (1-1) for Ehichoya (39), Craig Callanan for McDonnell (55), Shane Halpenny for McKeown (57), Fionn Cumiskey for McGorman (60).

Garda College: Damien Boyle; Niall Rooney, Michael Doherty, Tom Cronin; Eoin Byrne, Andrew Gorman, Cillian O’Sullivan (0-1); Ryan Traenor, Ciaran Lawless (0-1); Eoin Boyle (0-1), Darren Quinn (0-3) (2f), Cian Boyle; Niall Finnerty (0-3), Joe Burke (1-0), Conor Hassett.

Subs: Marty Mullhall for Eoin Boyle (HT), Conor Joyce for Traenor (53), Harry Niall for Hassett (54), Sean Doyle for Rooney (57), Robbie Gateley for Lawless (57).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Co Limerick).