Match Reports

MHC 1/4 Final Vs Tullogher/Rosbercon

17/10/2014
MHC ¼ final Vs Tullogher/Rosbercon 18th Oct 2014
The Dunnamaggin Minor hurlers took on Tullogher/Rosbercon in their championship quarter final in a very windy Mullinvat on Sat afternoon last. It was Tullogher who got off the mark quickest scoring two points immediately before John Fitzpatrick had Dunnamaggin’s first real chance which looked to be on target but the wind whipped it wide. Tullogher pointed again straight away. Tullogher were then awarded a sideline cut and the resultant ball in got the slightest of touches from a stick and it eluded Morgan Thomas in the goal to put Tullogher 1:03 to no score with only 10 mins gone. They followed this up with another fine point to stretch their lead further. It was not until the 16th min when John finally registered Dunnamaggin’s first score, a point from play. Dunnamaggin were working exceptionally hard and the half back line of Victor Costello, Eoghan Kearney and Dara Keane were kept very busy clearing ball. Dunnamaggin kept trying hard up front and the mentors of Eammon Kennedy, Willie Kearney and Seaghan O’Neill were quick to make positional changes but the scores against a strong breeze just would not come. Luke Fitzpatrick made a piercing run through the Tullogher defence but Dunnamaggin failed to get a score from it and from the return attack down field Tullogher found themselves 2Vs1 against the Dunnamaggin goal and duly converted as there was little Morgan could to stop it. Eoghan got Dunnamaggin’s second point of the half with 5mins remaining to the break with a well taken free before John just missed the net by the slimmest of margins after some great work from Dara Keane who was starting to get the upper hand on his marker. Eoghan slotted another free before half time to bring it to Dunnamaggin 0:03 Tullogher/Rosbercon 2:08
Morgan came out of the goal at half time to move into the forwards with Robbie McCauley on as his replacement and Greg O’Donnell making way. Eoghan pointed yet another free before Tullogher responded with three points of their own. Eoghan pointed another free before Brian Farrell put over a truly massive point from very deep inside his own half to bring Dunnamaggin up to 0:06. This seemed to restore belief back into the Dunnamaggin players and with Eoghan adding another free, Dunnamaggin were starting to chip away at Tulloghers lead. Robbie had to be alert in goal as the wind was totally unpredictable. A shot going wide suddenly whipped down towards him on the line, which he batted and Jamie McLoughlin had dropped back and help clear. John Fitz scored a lovely point from play and Eoghan got another free converted. All the Dunnamaggin players were starting to win their battles and the Half forward line of Luke, Chris and Rory were able to take on their markers and have a run at the defence and with Corner forwards of Morgan and Ian Walsh refused to let any ball out easily things were going Dunnamaggins way. Eoghan Kearney was grabbing control of the midfield and his teammates were responding. A great ball won by Aaron Doherty at Full back was cleared to Michael Cody, now at Centre back which was passed to Eoghan to split the posts. He immediately added another to bring it to Dunnamaggin 0:11 Tullogher 2:11.Dunnamaggin were continuing to be heroic in defence and the tidy Cornerbacks of Brian Farrell and Jack Brett were able to keep Tullogher to two points despite serious pressure on them. With ten mins remaining Dunnamaggin moved Eoghan to Full forward and launched all out attack on the Tullogher goal to try and get that elusive goal, and it came. A great ball in from the flying Rory Lodge eventually found the on rushing John Fitzpatrick, now at centre forward and Johns shot from the left hand side was buried to the inside of the right hand goal post. This was however to be Dunnamaggin’s last score as Tullogher added another point before the final whistle. Tullogher /Rosbercon 2:13 Dunnamaggin 1:12 . An unbelievable fight back showing great grit and never give up attitude after being thirteen points down at one stage. Well done to all involved.
Panel:-Morgan Thomas, Brian Farrell, Aaron Doherty, Jack Brett, Victor Costello, Eoghan Kearney, Dara Keane, Jamie McLoughlin, Chris Keane, Rory Lodge, Michael Cody, Luke Fitzpatrick, Ian Walsh, John Fitzpatrick, Greg O’Donnell, Jack Crehan, Killian Lafford, Adam Fitzpatrick, Robbie McCauley.