Dympnas continue progress

April 30, 2008
Hertfordshire GAA: John Wallace Cup St Dympnas added to their cabinet ware when deservedly winning the John Wallace Cup at Sundon Park, Luton on Sunday. The Leagrave side display fitness, teamwork, support play and ability to score in abundance. As well, they play with a naturalness and a spontaneity that show football, whilst being serious, is also about enjoyment. Bainisteóir, Gerry Naughton and selectors will be pleased with two competition wins in a row having won the Cahill & Hurley cup two weeks previously. A very close-knit club and they have put in a lot of effort this year to be successful. The panel is a good mix of Irish and local born players. Derek Steele and James MacKenzie are two new recruits who played exceptionally well. Steele popped up everywhere in his quest for scores whilst MacKenzie is a strong and intelligent full back. Played as a blitz, Cambridge Parnells, St Vincents and St Colmcilles lined out with the Dympnas to decide the outcome.. Vincents are regrouping and learning fast. But it will take time, and if real effort goes into training the dividends will be reaped. Colmcilles will have received a fillip from their displays throughout the afternoon as glimpses of their potent ability shone. Parnells were short some regulars and primarily lost out in some of the midfield battles. The Dympnas and Colmcilles' opening game was a low-scoring affair with a goal from Steve Cunningham, following a storming run from Kevin Killeen, proving a match-winner. Vincents then faced Parnells and despite a brilliant goal from James McCabe, scores from Paul Lynch and Darren Ó Loane and Micheál Reynolds clinched it for the Light Blues. No green flags raised and precious few points as Colmcilles out pointed Parnells. Points from Aaron Ó Byrne, Paul Dolan and Pat Leydon were enough to overcome their opponents whose scores came from Richie Austria and Ó Loane. Killeen, brothers, Luke and Damien Moloney and Darren Ó Donnell displayed the virtuosi of a Viennese string quartet as they swarmed all over the three middle parts of the field in their game against Vincents. Despite the brilliance of Dermot McCabe and the best efforts of Ashley Corrington there was no way past the rock-solid Dympnas' defence with Liam Berry, John and Norman Prendegast outstanding. Dympnas' scores came fast from Cunningham, Steele, Luke Moloney, Wesley Keane, Patrick Dennehy and Steve Doran. The next game saw Maurice Fallon, Keith Flanagan, Gary Walsh and Chris Henegham run themselves into the ground as Parnells faced the eventual winners. But Dympnas were fitter and stronger on the day and Cunningham who made the net his target all day raised the green flag after a bullet like shot. The destiny of the Cup was already decided when Colmcilles and Vincents faced each other. But the sides were relishing all the competitive they could get. It was the St Albans side that proved superior with goals from James Lane (2) and Damian Jennings proving decisive. Adrian Ó Rourke, Conal Kelly, Jason Lohan and Tony Cawley wiil be pleased with their improving performances as the Blitz progressed. Jennings, nephew of former Tottenham goalkeeper, Pat Jennings, had the opportunity to increase his goal tally but his penalty pile driver shot was too centred and Mick McCarey saved. Ó Byrne, Leydon and Adrian Slavin added points for the winners. The Cup was presented to winning Dympnas' captain Kevin Killeen by Shane Ó Neill, Cathaoirleach, Herts County Board. Results: St Dympnas 1.02:St Colmcilles 0.01; Cambridge Parnells 2.06 : St Vincents 1.02 St Colmcilles 0.03:Cambridge Parnells 0.02; St Dympnas 1.08 : St Vincents 0.01 St Dympnas 1.09:Cambridge Parnells 0.02; St Colmcilles 3.04:St Vincents 0.02.

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