DKIT win All-Ireland semi-final
March 08, 2010DKIT win All-Ireland semi-final
By Marie Greenan
DKIT began their first challenge of the weekend against Tallaght IT on Friday at 1pm in Athenry. The team had prepared well for the weekend, with a full squad, no injury worries, so all that was left to do was to go out and show how good they are.
Everyone knew this was going to be a tough match and it definitely was in the physical sense. The match was very tight in the first half with both teams hitting score for score, with Peter Durnin causing havoc in the full forward line. All forwards were giving their markers headaches and Tallaght thought the easiest way to stop this was by committing dangerous fouls on the Dundalk players. Three of their players were booked in the first half and Durnin easily slotted these over the bar. Nearing the end of the first half DKIT were beginning to get on top, dominating throughout the field, and showing the skill they had. Unfortunately John Shiels had to retire from the game due to a knee injury. He was replaced by Cian Dunne. About ten minutes from the end of the first half, Derek Horan was badly injured with a strike to his right wrist, with the Tallaght player not near striking the ball. Luckily it was not as serious as first though, but this really spurred the rest of the lads on, hitting the back of the net twice - firstly Gavin Kerrigan rattled the net, followed by Danny Maguire. This was a just reward for the lad's hard work, and their ability to play the game with class and good spirit.
Half time score;
DKIT; 2 - 8
Tallaght; 1 - 5
DKIT continued the second half where they had left off, with they team steeping up their game again and this was rewarded with another goal, due to a pass from Derek Horan (fortunately who was able to return to the game) to Malcolm Doyle who went on one of his routine runs through the Tallaght defence, laid the ball off to Durnin, who rattled the net for DKIT for the third time. As always our defence worked relentlessly to supply quality ball to the forwards, with Daithi Watters, the Wallace brothers, Darren O'Hanrahan, Podge Kelly and Padraig Keough keeping things very tight at the back, allowing the forwards to show off their scoring ability. Tallaght's poor discipline continued with their number twelve being sent off, due to two dirty tackles within five minutes of each other, with Daniel Maguire bearing the brunt of these. This spurred DKIT on more, with Doyle, Noel Kirby and Durnin adding points and Kirby finished them off with a goal. David Deane, Michael Walsh and Philip Mc Govern gave their contribution to the team, replacing, Derek Horan, Gavin Kerrigan and Malcolm Doyle.
Full time score;
DKIT; 4 - 13
Tallaght; 1 - 10
This was a tough test for all the team, resulting in some sore bodies, but psychologically the team was still strong due to a great win and were looking forward to their final the next day.
Panel and Scorers;
James Connolly, Mark Wallace, Daithi Watters, Darren O' Hanrahan, Podge Kelly, Derek Horan, John Shiels, Padraig Keough, Malcolm Doyle (0 - 1), Adrian Wallace, Noel Kirby (1 - 3), Eoin Marsh, Daniel Maguire (1 - 1), Peter Durnin (1 - 8), Gavin Kerrigan ( 1 - 0), Cian Dunne, David Deane, Michael Walsh, Philip Mc Govern, Edward Kirby, Niall Cleary, Christopher Smyth, Sean Doherty, Vincent Walsh, John Lawlor, John Kelleher, Kenneth Boyd, Chris Gallagher, Darren Brennan. Tweet
