NUI GALWAY 2-10 UCD 1-11
By Michael O’Connor
NUI Galway qualified for the All Ireland junior
third level hurling final with a hard hitting win over UCD in Belfield on
Monday evening. NUI Galway now moves on to play the winners of UCC/CIT in the
All Ireland junior final. A strong wind
that was present for the duration of the game aided the home side for the first
half. UCD started the game in a positive mood with the first three scores of
the game and indeed were unfortunate not to hit a goal in the opening five
minutes. NUI Galway were attacking against the breeze yet did not appear overly
competent in the first quarter. UCD and NUI Galway exchanged scores on two
occasions from the 10th to 14th minute as Reuben McCarthy (2 frees) was on
target for the Galway college to leave UCD (0-5) to (0-2) ahead. UCD exerted
quite an amount of pressure on the NUI Galway defence for most of the second
quarter and added (1-2) within a five minute spell with just a solitary score
from a McCarthy free. UCD were now in the ascendancy leading (1-7) to (0-3)
with NUI Galway in dire need of a scoring burst.
This need turned into a reality when a long delivery
from the Galway defence found Oisin Connolly who goaled a minute after the UCD
goal. Connolly added two further scores to reduce the UCD lead to two points as
half time closed in. To their credit it was UCD who rallied well from the
setback with the final two scores of the half as once again the NUI Galway
defence led by Darragh Whelan and Martin Connolly keep the scoring of UCD to
the minimum as they led (1-9) to (1-5) at the interval.
There was no guarantee that aided by the elements in
the second half and with a strengthening wind that NUI Galway were to win the
game as UCD were very capable on the counter attack. Indeed, it was UCD who
opening the second half scoring to edge five points clear. NUI Galway got a
grip on proceedings yet depended on the freetaking of Reuben McCarthy who hit a
hat trick of frees by the 45th minute but still NUI Galway were still two
points in arrears.
With ten minutes left to play the intense pressure
exerted by NUI Galway on UCD told as Reuben McCarthy struck for the second NUI Galway
goal to level matters. Kevin Hourigan sent NUI Galway level only for UCD to
rally with an equaliser as extra time now appeared likely. This was not though
on the agenda for NUI Galway as Reuben McCarthy from a 50 metre free and Oisin
Connolly rounded off a deserved if at times fortunate two point win. Best for
the winners were Fergus Ruane, Darragh Whelan, Conor Meaney, Martin Connolly,
James Phelan, Kevin Hourigan, Tony O Kelly Lynch, Oisin Connolly and Reuben
McCarthy.
NUI Galway fresher A footballers were also in action
in Dangan on Monday evening against UUJ in round 3 of the championship and
edged past their guests on a 1-13 to 1-9 scoreline to secure a home quarter final
against UCC in the championship.
NUI
GALWAY: Stephen Kenny (Liam Mellows), Fergus Ruane
(Castlegar), Darragh Whelan (Broadford, Clare), John Hanlon (CarrigRiverstown,
Offaly) Conor Meaney (Kinnity,
Offaly) Martin Connolly (Castlegar),
Daniel Coady (Salthill Knocknacarra), Kevin Hourigan (Liam Mellows)(0-1), James
Phelan (Lisdowney, Laois), Cathal O Brien (Shamrocks, Offaly), Oran Martin
(Sylane), Tony O Kelly Lynch ( Naomh Eoin, Sligo), Thomas Kimball (Castlegar),
Oisin Connolly (Castlegar) (1-3), Reuben McCarthy (Limerick)(1-6)
Subs:
Eoin Kerin (Rahoon Newcastle), Sean Joyce (Salthill Knocknacarra), John Cassidy
(Tooreen, Mayo).
