Doon’s blitz sinks Castletroy
Trailing by 0-10 to 1-5 three minutes before half-time, Doon were given a tonic as Joe Lonergan netted their second goal, while Barry Nash’s free for Castletroy ensured the sides went in level. By the time they scored again they would have conceded another 1-4.
The relocation of wing-back Shane O’Connell to a sweeping role paid huge dividends for Doon as it deprived Tom Morrissey – scorer of five first-half points for Castletroy – vital possession and gave the victors a platform.
With midfielder Patrick Cummins producing a storming display, Doon overran their opponents on the restart, with a final tally of eight scorers indicating the fine balance in their side.
While Castletroy had a couple of chances early in the second half, they couldn’t take advantage and when Lonergan pulled home after Jack Banks saved Dean Coleman’s shot in the 39th minute, Doon were in command.
Points followed by David Buckley, Cummins and Coleman (two) with wing-forward Barry Murphy excellent and with 12 minutes remaining they possessed a 3-9 to 0-11 advantage.
It was an outcome few could have predicted in the first half of this winner-take-all tie, when Castletroy were on top but unable to fully push home that advantage as twice Doon struck for goals to stay in contention.
Morrissey and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave got nice points for Castletroy while Barry Nash’s accuracy from placed balls was deadly and they led by 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes.
Doon took the lead, however, when Buckley produced a brilliant doubled effort after Castletroy defender Jamie Porter got a deflection on Coleman’s point attempt and then Michael Dee put them two ahead with a wondrous effort from the left sideline.
Castletroy looked to have weathered that as they reeled off four unanswered points, but some astute changes, allied to Lonergan’s goal, ensured Doon did not fall irreversibly behind.
They took full advantage of that after half-time, and looked safe with a 3-11 to 0-12 lead with a few minutes remaining, only for Castletroy to give themselves a chance as Nash’s free was followed by sub Aaron Kennedy’s goal. Darragh Clancy put Doon five clear again, but Castletroy were given a penalty in the final minute of normal time. Unfortunately for Nash, his effort went over the bar and Doon advanced.
Scorers for St Fintan’s CBS: J Lonergan 2-0, D Buckley 1-2 P Cummins, S O’Connell, D Coleman (one 65), D Clancy 0-2 each, M Dee, B Murphy (free) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Castletroy College: B Nash 0-6 (five frees, one penalty), T Morrissey 0-5, A Kennedy 1-0, A La Touche Cosgrave 0-2, I Coates 0-1.
S Stapleton (Seán Treacys); D Lonergan (Cappamore), T Hayes (Doon), B McPartland (Doon); B McCarthy (Pallasgreen), S Ryan (Doon), J Cummins (Doon); F O’Grady (Doon), P Cummins (Doon); B Murphy (Doon), M Dee (Murroe-Boher), S O’Connell (Doon); J Lonergan (Cappamore), D Buckley (Cappawhite), D Coleman (Doon).
Subs: M Feehan (Seán Treacys) for D Lonergan, D Clancy (Cappawhite) for O’Grady (both 25).
J Banks (Old Christians); J Porter (Monaleen), C Carroll (Ahane), J Heuston (Doon); L Lyons (Monaleen), C O’Brien (Monaleen), D O’Mahoney (Ahane); P Morrissey (Ahane), E Doyle (Monaleen); B Nash (South Liberties), D Garry (South Liberties), J Nicholas (Monaleen); A La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen), T Morrissey (Ahane), C Nicholas (Monaleen).
Subs: A Hackett (Ahane) for C Nicholas (43), I Coates (Old Christians) for Garry, A Kennedy (Murroe-Boher) for J Nicholas (both 45), R Butler (South Liberties) for Hackett (56), J Nicholas for Kennedy (58, injured).
Referee: Shane Hourigan (Rathkeale).
