Dundalk IT GAA freshers fall to ATU Sligo defeat

A late scoring spurt down the home straight denied Dundalk IT’s fresher’s team a place in the semi final of the Division 1 league, after they lost out by four points to ATU Sligo in Knocknarea, Sligo on Wednesday night last.

Heading into the last quarter, it was the Dundalk college who had their noses in front, leading by 1-12 to 1-10, thanks mainly to the sharp shooting for Clontibret O’Neill’s Charlie Mone, who finished with 0-8 on the night in an outstanding individual performance, where he kicked scores off both feet

However, the Dundalk side were unable to push home their advantage and make the most of any momentum gained and were on the wrong end of some calls by referee Gus Chapman, a Sligo native, who awarded ATU Sligo 21 free kicks, compared to nine for DKIT in this game.

DKIT GAA had an opportunity to stretch that lead to eight. Half time sub, Ewan Hoban picked up a loose ball after a Charlie Mone shot dropped short. The Newtown Blues man saw his goal bound strike bravely blocked by the Sligo defence, keeping the Yeats’ county in the game.

That last period saw ATU land 1-3 without reply, including a late goal from Oisin McCann with virtually the last kick of the game, to seal a four point victory for his side.

Prior to this, DKIT got off to an ideal start here, to lead by 1-4 to no score after 4 minutes.

Charlie Mone landed a two pointer straight from the throw in, before repeating the feat moments later after DKIT’s Senan Hanratty got his hands to an ATU kickout.

DKIT’s lead became seven, when Cooley Kickhams’ Emmet Duffy got the last touch to a Charlie Mone shot from long range, for the opening goal of the game in the 4th minute.

ATU Sligo soon began to feel their way into the game, landing their opening score through Leitrim under 20 player, Frankie McManus following neat work by Luke Donnelly of Longford in the build up.

A 3v3 breach from DKIT was punished with a two pointed free by keeper James Norris, while Alec Cunnea found the target to close the gap to three by the 9th minute.

Impressive industry from St Joseph’s Oisin Reidy, saw Charlie Mone raise a white flag with his left foot to leave DKIT still ahead by the end of the first quarter at 1-5 to 0-4.

Moments prior to this, DKIT had come close to another major, when Tristan Nugent teed up Daire Geoghegen, who was denied at close range by Sligo keeper James Norris.

DKIT were guilty of some sloppy passing in attack, including handpasses going astray, and this was punished by ATU Sligo, who scored 1-5 in the first half from turnovers alone, including the breach.

Following a free from Meath native, Jake Madden, ATU restored parity when the same player was adjudged to have been fouled in the square. Former Mayo minor, Conor Moriarity converted the resultant penalty, to leave the sides level in the 18th minute.

Jack Rowley fired the home side in front, while frees from Madden and Moriarity left ATU 1-8 to 1-5 ahead after 24 minutes. These were two of 15 scorable frees awarded to the home side on the night.

DKIT needed a response, as a number of their attacks had broken down, but St Fechins’ Colm Hackett, who impressed for them, set up the lively Evan Treanor to kick a badly needed point for the visitors just before the break.

Second Half:

ATU Sligo landed the opening two scores through Davin Keegan and Oisin McCann, leaving DKIT behind by 1-10 to 1-6, three minutes after the restart.

DKIT then had a purple patch, as they picked off six points without reply, with Charlie Mone again on fire, kicking three of them including one free, while Oisin Reidy, Alfie Hughes and Senan Hanratty (45) turned the game in DKIT’s favour, as they led by two by the 43rd minute.

This period also saw the home side’s keeper Norris again called into action to deny a left foot drive by Charlie Mone, while Conor Lappin slapped the ball off the post and wide for DKIT, after a half blocked Evan Treanor shot landed in the square.

In the end, ATU Sligo punished DKIT for these missed chances. They did open DKIT’s defence up with some nice moves through the hands, with captain James O’Donoghue getting his hands to breaks in the middle area, as did Jack Rowley and Oisin McCann.

Sub Liam Greene (f) closed the gap to one, before scores from Oisin McCann and Frankie McManus left Sligo ahead by one approaching stoppage time.

DKIT had their chances to force an equaliser, but kicked several efforts short, and ATU punished them, when Oisin McCann collected a Conor Moriarty foot pass, before his shot found the net despite the best efforts of DKIT keeper, Eoghan McKeown, as the ball looped into the net to seal that four point win for Sligo, as DKIT missed out on a place in the last four of the Fresher Division one league.

Despite this, the Dundalk side still have plenty of cause for optimism, in a league campaign which saw them beat Queen’s University and ATU Donegal and draw with UU Jordanstown, with plenty to play for as the championship approaches in the new year.

DKIT Scorers: Charlie Mone (0-8) (2 tp), (1f), Emmet Duffy (1-0), Senan Hanratty (one ’45), Evan Treanor, Oisin Reidy & Alfie Hughes (0-1 each).

ATU Sligo Scorers: Oisin McCann (1-2), Conor Moriarty (1-1) (1-0 pen) (1f), Frankie McManus (1f), James Norris (1tpf), Jake Madden (2f) (0-2 each), Jack Rowley, Alec Cunnea, Davin Keegan, & Liam Greene (f) (0-1 each).

DKIT: Eoghan McKeown; Jack Sullivan, Rian Hickey, Danny McGill; Caolan Daly, Senan Hanratty, Alfie Hughes; Alex Babington, Colm Hackett; Oisin Reidy, Charlie Mone, Evan Treanor; Daire Geoghegen, Emmet Duffy, Tristan Nugent.

Subs: Ewan Hoban for Nugent (HT), Conor Lappin for Babington (HT), Sean McKeown for Daly (48), Aron Laverty for Geoghegen (52), Joe McArdle for Hanratty (b/sub 54), Senan Hanratty for Sullivan (58).

ATU Sligo: James Norris; James O Donohue, Colm Gonley, Joe Rowley; Alec Cunnea, Micheàl Weir, Jack Rowley; Dylan Monaghan, Davin Keegan; Oisin McCann, Frankie McManus , Eoin Sheridan; Jake Madden, Luke Donnelly, Conor Moriarity.

Subs: Liam Greene for Keegan (43), Alex Oates for McManus (47).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Co Sligo).