Marist march into last four with impressive win over Garbally
By John Dingle
Marist College assured themselves of a place in the semi-finals of the Connacht Schools Junior 'A' Cup after hammering Garbally College 43-0 at home last Friday afternoon.
In what was a one-sided local derby, the Marist went over for four tries in the opening half and completed the rout after the break with three further tries.
The home team took an early lead on a heavy pitch and never looked back thereafter. The game was just three minutes old when the Marist opened their try account. A push over try from Callum McCormack put the first points on the board for the home team. Although Darragh Murray was off target with the conversion, it mattered little as the margin of victory at the end was massive.
A second home try followed on ten minutes. This time John Finnan went over as his speed carried him away from the Garbally defensive cover. From in front of the posts, Murray was more accurate with the conversion on this occasion to leave the Marist ahead by 12 points to nil.
The Athlone boys were dominating and added try number three with 19 minutes played. Finnan was again the scorer with Murray again obliging with the resulting conversion.
It stayed at 19-0 until stoppage time in the half when the Marist left the second half a mere formality with another score. A flowing move from left to right saw Padraig O’Neill touch down with Murray again successful with the conversion.
The try scorer had come on after 16 minutes to replace Andrew Claffey and celebrated his introduction with the fourth try of the half. It left the home team ahead at the break by 24-0 and having one foot in the last four.
Garbally had an outside chance of also making the semi-finals but needed to win their two remaining fixtures to achieve their aim. However, after a torrid opening half they were well out of contention and needed a miracle to mount a comeback. They had few chances to get on the scoreboard but were an improved outfit when play resumed following the short break.
After being carved open at times in the opening half, Garbally were more intent on concentrating defensively in the early stages of the second half. It worked to an extent as Marist were kept scoreless for over ten minutes.
The best chance Garbally had of scoring came after three minutes when Tadhg Casey took possession to advance towards the try line. A score was in prospect but the number 14 was halted by a good tackle as he attempted to carry the ball over.
It was as near as they came to scoring and their early promise soon faded as Marist tagged on three further tries. The hosts were denied a try after 12 minutes in somewhat controversial circumstances. Finnan was in pursuit of a hat trick at this stage and seemed to have scored after cutting in from the left to touch down under the posts. However, the referee had adjudged that the Marist captain had earlier gone into touch and the score was not allowed.
It was a hard call to make and, to be fair to the match official, he had no recognised touch judge to make a definitive call on his behalf.
It was soon forgotten about though with a legitimate try being scored moments later. Ronan Tynan the successful scorer this time as Murray was off target with the conversion. It left the defending champions ahead by 29-0 heading into the final quarter but the scoring was not finished just yet.
The Ballinasloe side never gave up but were no match for a rampant home team which dominated from early on. Try number six came after 21 minutes of the half when O’Neill grabbed his second of the game. Murray added on the extras with another conversion to increase the lead to 36 points.
The scoring was completed after 27 minutes and it was a score worth waiting for. Joseph McSharry gained possession on halfway and a strong run through the Garbally half saw the substitute go over under the posts for the try of the game. The conversion was fired over by Murray to leave the Marist easy winners on a 43-0 scoreline when the final whistle soon sounded.
Marist now qualify for the semi-final with one game remaining versus Sligo Grammar School, the outcome of which will determine whether home advantage is enjoyed in the last four. Another win will have the Athlone team acting as hosts and on course to make another final.
Player of the match: John Finnan (Marist College). The team captain provided the early inspiration and his two tries in the first half had Marist on their way to a facile win.
Scorers - Marist: J Finnan and P O’Neill 2 tries each; R Tynan, C McCormack and J McSharry 1 try each; D Murray 4 conversions.
Marist College, Athlone: Carlos Bertomeu, Andrew Claffey, Conor Flynn, John Finnan, Ruairi O’Connor, Darragh Murray, Hugh Loftus, Michael Doolan, Callum McCormack, Peter Daniel Sunny, Brian Rourke, Aidan Costello, Harry Lowe, Jack McDonnell, Adam Peter Murphy. Subs used: Fionn Cotton, Jack Campbell, Conor Doran, Joseph McSharry, Eoin Carr, Ronan Tynan, Ben Sylvester, Padraig O’Neill, Fiachra Redington.
Garbally College, Ballinasloe: Cillian Greene, Tadhg Casey, Conor Reynolds, Lorcan McKeigue, Matthew Blair, Rian O’Connell, Senan O’Hara, Luke Bookless, Luke Kelly, Daniel Duffy, Cian McKeon, Sean Maguire, Patrick Barrett, Alex Dolan, Eoghan Dunne. Subs used: Iago Silva Rosa Pinto, Joseph Johnston, Cillian Hardiman, Christopher Ward.
Referee: Gerry Geraghty (Galway).