Senior footballers edge Cork in challenge

Mon, 11th May 2015

Dublin Senior Footballers win the inaugural Comóradh Seán Uí Shíocháin

DUBLIN 1-15 CORK 2-07

In a repeat of the NFL Final two weeks ago Dublin travelled to Cill Na Martra, West Cork yester day and defeated Cork by 5 points to win the inaugural Comóradh Seán Uí Shíocháin. The game was played in atrocious weather conditions with a strong wind and heavy rain. Jim Gavin used the game to give a number of his panelist valuable game time in advance of the first Leinster Championship game on the 31^st May against either Longford or Offaly.

The game was played in a competitive spirit with players from both sides keen to impress their respective team managers. Dublin played with the elements in the first half but it was Cork who started the brighter and were the better team in the first quarter but some wayward shooting and good work by the Dublin backs kept the Dublin in touch. However some hard grafting from Alan Brogan, John Small and points from Philly Ryan, Conor McHugh & Paddy Andrews kept Dublin in touch. A goal from Daniel Goulding had Cork ahead by 1-5 to 0-7 at halftime.

Dublin started the second half in fine style with Brian Fenton & Emmett O’Conghaile on top in the middle of the field and points from Alan Brogan, Conor McHugh and Harry Dawson set up the platform for victory. A tap in goal’ on 55 minutes from Philly Ryan sealed the victory and despite a late goal for Cork – Dublin ran out worthy winners by 5 points.

“Regardless of the score, it was good to get the boys out. The overall effort from both our defence and attack was good in difficult conditions. That’s all we ask them, to be the best that they can be, and I thought they put their best foot forward today,” said Jim Gavin.

“We won’t be going back to full training until the end of next week so we’ll take it from there.”

SCORERS - Dublin: P Ryan 1-3 (0-2f), C McHugh 0-4 (0-1f), A Brogan 0-3, P Andrews (0-1f), H Dawson (0-1f) 0-2 each, E Lowndes 0-1. Cork: D Goulding 1-3 (0-1f), D Óg Hodnett 1-1, J Hayes 0-2, P Kelleher 0-1.

Dublin Team: Michael Savage (St Vincents), Eoin Culligan (Kilmacud Crokes), Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes), David Byrne (St Olafs), Eric Lowndes (St Peregrines), John Small (Ballymun Kickhams), Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens), Emmett O’Conghaile (Lucan Sarsfields), Brian Fenton (Raheny), Harry Dawson (Skerries Harps), Alan Brogan (Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruaidh), Davey Byrne (Ballymun Kickhams), Conor McHugh (Na Fianna), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Philly Ryan (St Brigids)

Subs Used: Sean Currie (Ballymun Kickhams), Hugh Gill (St Vincents), Jack Smith (Skerries Harps), Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams), Shane Carthy (St Vincent’s), Jason Whelan (Ballymun Kickhams)

CORK: K O’Halloran; N Galvin, J O’Sullivan, S Cronin; K Crowley, T Clancy (Clonakilty), Barry O’Driscoll; A O’Connor, R Deane; P Kerrigan, C Dorman, C O’Driscoll; D Goulding, P Kelleher, J Hayes. Subs: D Óg Hodnett for Cronin (23), M Collins for C O’Driscoll (ht), Brian O’Driscoll for Clancy (58), E Cadogan for O’Sullivan (65), K O’Driscoll for Óg Hodnett (70).

REF: R Moloney (Limerick).