Kepak Roscommon SHC semi-final
St Dominic’s 4-15 Athleague 2-10
St Dominic’s are into their first senior hurling final since 2001 after a comprehensive win against Athleague in Ballyforan on Sunday last.
Those who were lucky enough to be there saw one of the best individual performances seen in the championship in many years as St Dominic’s full-forward Naos Connaughton blitzed the beleaguered Athleague defence throughout, scoring four goals and five points over the hour.
It was a sensational performance on the day, not alone by the St Dominic’s attacker, but by the team. There were plenty of other good performances around the field as Micheal Byrne, Jack Lohan, Mark Miley and Mickey Joe Egan also inspired what was an excellent win.
St Dominic’s dominated the exchanges in the opening half but couldn’t pull away from a typically determined Athleague. A Tadgh Lyons goal in the 23rd minute kept Athleague in contention, but when Connaughton struck his first goal of the game in injury-time, it gave his side a well merited 1-7 to 1-2 lead at the break.
In the second half, Athleague just couldn’t cope with the outstanding Connaughton as the full-forward ran riot. His second goal came in the 38th minute and the hat-trick was completed 12 minutes later. Then, with seven minutes to go goal number four arrived for the St Dominic’s man.
Athleague kept going until the very end and they were rewarded with late goals from Robbie Fallon and Ben McGahon. However the day belonged to St Dominic’s and in particular to Naos Connaughton.
On this form Martin ‘Thady’ Beirne’s men will give Four Roads plenty to think about in the county final on September 29th at Dr Hyde Park.
St Dominic’s: Mark Miley (0-2, frees); Mark O’Malley, Mike Feeley, Ethan Connaughton; Nathan O’Connor, Micheal Byrne, Jason Martin; Adam Hoare, Sean Kilcline; Colm Lyons (0-1), Jack Lohan (0-3), Conal Kennelly; Gavin Staunton, Naos Connaughton (4-5, 0-3 frees), Mickey Joe Egan (0-3). Subs used: Cormac Miley for M Miley (blood, 20), R Dempsey for E Connaughton (27), Ruairi Kilcline (0-1) for Staunton (47), B Killion for Kilcline (57), Lorcan Lyons for C Lyons (59), Cian Martin for Hoare (60).
Athleague: Gary Fallon; Darragh Heavey, Mark Ward, Naoise Coyle; Eoghan Coyle, Darragh Mullen, Alan Moore; Oisin Lyons, Thomas Clayton; Cian Murray, Jack McGahon (0-1), Cormac Kelly (0-3); Tadgh Lyons (1-0), Robbie Fallon (1-5, 1-0 free, 3 frees, 2 ‘65s), Ben McGahon (1-1, 1-0 free, 1 ’65). Subs used: Eamon Bannon for Moore (41), Cathal Crehan for O Lyons (47), Niall Connolly for N Coyle (55).
Referee: James Judge.
Man of the Match
Naos Connaughton (St Dominic’s)
