Wallace stars in cruise for classy Maynooth

NUI Maynooth 2-19 IT Blanchardstown 1-5

Footballer of the Year Michael Darragh McAuley netted one of the winners’ two goals as they recorded a 17-point win to book a quarter-final against Queens or GMIT. Maynooth’s star-studded line-up included senior county players in every line of the field. Playing with a strong breeze in the opening half, Maynooth were quickly into their stride, thanks to Paddy McBrearty’s point after 20 seconds. McBrearty landed three more in the first half while Wallace kicked four to give Maynooth a 10-point lead (0-12 to 0-2) after 27 minutes. Blanchardstown, featuring Meath legend Graham Geraghty at full-forward, struggled against the breeze and their sweeper system failed to cope against a team with so many attacking options. They were thrown a lifeline when Geraghty set up Leitrim’s Ciaran Gilheaney for a smashing goal on the stroke of half-time, to trail by seven points (0-13 to 1-3).

Maynooth completely controlled the game in the second half. Wallace was particularly impressive for the Kildare side, adding three more points from play against the breeze. The winners finished in style with two goals in the final two minutes.