Ryan too hot for Moores to handle

LIMERICK senior footballer Ian Ryan’s tally of 2-5 proved invaluable to Mary Immaculate College who progress to this afternoon’s Ulster Bank Trench Cup final by defeating John Moores at CIT yesterday.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Limerick college. After 10 minutes, John Moores led 0-4 to 0-0. Sean Clarke, brother of Armagh player Ronan, was on target twice as Mary I were overrun in midfield and too elaborate in possession.

However, they got going when centre-forward Robert Ahern fisted a Daniel Quirke ball past Mark Armstrong on 11 minutes, and seven minutes later they took the lead, (2-0 to 0-5), when Ryan palmed home after a Cathrach Keane point attempt came back off the post.

Though Micheál McCartan levelled for John Moores shortly after, a long-range Ryan free ended in the net for the Limerick side to edge ahead (3-1 to 0-6). Ryan had two more before the break, one off each foot, with a McCartan free John Moores' only reply as Mary I led 3-3 to 0-7 at the break.

The second half was less incident-filled as Mary I played an impressive possession game. Substitute Barry Horgan goaled for them in injury time after rounding Armstrong, and though Jarlath McCarthy immediately cancelled that out, Mary I couldn't be caught. They now meet St Pat's of Drumcondra in a battle of the teacher-training colleges in today's final, a repeat of last year's decider.

Scorers for Mary Immaculate College, Limerick: I Ryan 2-5 (0-2f), B Horgan 1-1, R Ahern 1-0, L Costegan, C Keane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Liverpool John Moores University: J McCarthy 1-2, M McCartan 0-5 (0-3f), S Clarke, O Lennon 0-2.

MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE, LIMERICK: B O'Connor (Cork); M Finnegan (Kerry), S Kennedy (Kildare), B Qualter (Galway); J O'Sullivan (Cork), R Murray (Galway), E Fenton (do); C Keane (Cork), A Garnett (Kerry); R Browne (Limerick), R Ahern (Waterford), M Horan (Kerry); D Quirke (Limerick), R McCann (Galway), I Ryan (Limerick).

Subs: L Costegan (Tipperary) for McCann (33), B Horgan (Cork) for M Horan (49), D O'Driscoll (do) for Garnett (60).

LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY: M Armstrong (Down); C Connolly (Fermanagh), M McGovern (do), N Cassidy (Tyrone); J Jordan (do), P O'Brien (Fermanagh), D Clarke (Down); O Lennon (Monaghan), M McCarthy (Down); J McCarthy (do), S Malone (Armagh), K McBride (Antrim); M McCartan (Down), S Clarke (Armagh), K Breslin (Donegal).

Sub: G Trainor for Horan (41).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork).