Dympnas win League final

September 30, 2008
St Dympnas 1.17 : St Colmcilles 1.13 The Leagrave side triumphed after extra time to win the Peter Ryan Trophy at Oxhey Park on Sunday. The St Albans side were first to score when Paddy White pointed. The winners equalised immediately when Wesley Keane's scored. Dympnas' Steve Doran blocked down Neil Whitworth's kick out. Doran lobbed the ball into the square where full forward James McKenzie managed to force the ball to the net. Aaron Ó Byrne pointed for Colmcilles whilst the Blues tacked on a trio of points from Luke Maloney and Doran. Doran scored five points in all and he and fellow forward Derek Steele caused endless trouble for the St Albans' rearguard. Six minutes remained in the opening half when Colmcilles were awarded a free. No 11 Paul Armstrong's struck beautifully to goal. Garvan Ó Callaghan and Dympnas' midfielder, Micheal Ó Kane exchanged points to leave the interval score 1.05 to 1.04 in the Luton side's favour. The fast flowing game continued. Interesting were the duels between half-backs and half-forwards. No 6 for Dympnas' Kevin Killeen and for Colmcilles, Paul Dolan never dominated their sectors and make challenging forays upfield as they regularly do. Both half forward lines played major parts. Dympnas' line of Doran, Derek Steele and Keane were in the midst of theirs side's every movement. Man of the match award might be a call between Doran and Steele but Adrian Ó Rourke's midfield performance for Colmcilles was outstanding. Two early misses didn't help Colmcilles' cause whilst at the other end Keane remained loose to point. Then Armstrong began a great spell and pointed twice. His side now lead by two points with ten minutes remaining, with their scores coming from James Lane, White and Ó Byrne. Dympnas' remained close with minors from Steele and Shane Gallagher. Dympnas' full back line of Paul Coady, Norman Prendegast and Éamonn Donnelly defended resolutely but restraining Tom Maloney as he attempted to score earned a penalty for Colmcilles. Armstrong's shot went narrowly wide to the relief of Dympnas' goalkeeper, Liam Berry. Dympnas moved up a gear and two points from Doran and Luke Moloney levelled the scores. Then Armstrong, 30 yards out found his way goalwards blocked Tyrone-fashion. He passed to Chris Lee outside and the teenager kicked a glorious point. Time was ebbing when the play moved downfield. Colmcilles' backs, Bryan Gallagher, Neil Whitworth and Chris Marley were defending doggedly but a punched clearance ended with Gallagher close to the end line. Gallagher's kick was perfect to leave the scores 1.11 each. In extra time, Colmcilles never gave up battling but superior fitness ensured another trophy wound its way to Leagrave. Moloney, Gallagher and Doran scored three points either side of the break whilst Ó Byrne kept Colmcilles in contention by pointing two frees. But Dympnas ran out worthy winners. Alan Gallagher, Kevin Cauldfield and Darren Ó Donoughue performed heroics to ensure Dympnas' victory. Diarmuid Magee, Neil Gallagher and Plunkett McGreevey starred for Colmcilles. Réiteóir, Paul Connolly, (Glen Rovers) Kevin Killeen, captain of St Dympnas received the Peter Ryan Memorial Trophy from Boib Canty, Herts' Uachtarán.

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