Five-Star Dundalk Young Irelands Storm Into Junior Final

DKIT Sport Junior Football Championship

Semi Final | At Stabannon

Dundalk Young Irelands 5-14 Westerns 0-15

Dundalk Young Irelands booked their place in the DKIT Sport Junior Football Championship final after an impressive 5-14 to 0-15 victory over Westerns in Stabannon on Saturday evening.

As the old saying goes, goals win games, and that proved the difference as Dundalk Young Irelands found the net five times. Derek Maguire led the charge with a hat-trick, while Dean Maguire and Ruairi Kelly also got on the scoresheet.

Half Time – Dundalk Young Irelands 4-5 Westerns 0-9

Westerns enjoyed their spells during the contest, with Tommy Durnin and Jack Martin producing moments of defiance and doing everything possible to keep their side in the contest as the tide increasingly turned against them.

Tommy Durnin (Westerns) takes on Michael O’Shea (Dundalk Young Irelands)

Ultimately, Dundalk Young Irelands’ physical strength and fitness proved decisive, with Jordan O’Donoghue, Cian O’Donoghue and James Prendergast particularly influential in driving their side forward.

Oisin Drumgoole (Westerns) is challenged by Conn O’Donoghue (Dundalk Young Irelands)

The Dundalk side’s inside line once again proved a major threat. Dean Maguire, Derek Maguire and Ruairi Kelly combined for 5-5 of their team’s tally, underlining their efficiency in front of goal.

With five goals and a dominant overall display, Dundalk Young Irelands now advance to the Junior Championship final, while Westerns’ campaign comes to an end at the semi-final stage.

Dundalk Young Irelands team: Fergal Sheeky; Peter McCourt, Ciaran Murray, Conn O’Donoghue; Cian O’Donoghue, Brendan Prendergast, Tadhg Hoey; Michael O’Shea (0-1), James Prendergast; Peter Nixon, Jordan O’Donoghue (0-8, 1tpf, 6f), Sean Murphy; Dean Maguire (1-1), Ruairi Kelly (1-2), Derek Maguire (3-2).

Subs used: Liam McStravick, Cian O’Nairigh, Lee O’Donoghue, Evan McArdle.

Westerns team: Anthony Durnin; Roan Gallagher, Darragh Osbourne, Joe Murphy; Killian Crosbie (0-2, 1tp), Finn Duffy, Mick Martin; Tommy Durnin (0-4, 1tp, 2f), Matthew Kane; Cathal Kennedy (0-2, 1tp), Tom Maguire, Ciaran Scriven (0-1); Conor Smith (0-1), Jack Martin (0-3, 1f), Oisin Drumgoole (0-1).

Subs used: Adam Duffy, Emmet Smith, Ryan Duffy, Patrick Kerley (0-1).

Referee – David J. McArdle (St Brides)

Photos – Ciaran Culligan