Naomh Malachi Advance to Quarter Final of DKIT Sport JFC
DKIT Sport JFC Group 1 Round 3
At Páirc de Róiste, Roche
Naomh Malachi 1-14 Cuchulainn Gaels 1-11
Naomh Malachi advanced to the Quarter Final of the DKIT Sport JFC Quarter Final after a remarkable victory over Cuchulainn Gaels at Páirc de Róiste on Friday evening.
Proceedings started along expected lines with Cuchulainn Gaels racing into a quick lead with James Sharkey displaying deadly accuracy. Andrew Begley hit an inspirational two-point score at the midpoint of the first half to spark the Courtbane men into action. Although, James Sharkey cleverely went short off a 45’ receiving the return and firing over for a two-pointer to send his side into a four point lead with not long left. When the Omeath men received a penalty on the cusp of halftime, Adam Sharkey calmly held his nerve and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Half Time – Naomh Malachi 0-6 Cuchulainn Gaels 1-6
Naomh Malachi got a penalty of their own on the 35th minute which captain Darren Clarke displayed the necessary leaderhship, dispatching beyond Ciaran Connolly. From there on in, Sean Hand’s charges completely dominated the game. They had a foothold around the middle and had nullified the double Sharkey threat at the far end with Daniel Mulligan doing a particularly good job on last week’s sharpshooter Adam Sharkey. Goalkeeper Darrin Kearney left his posts on numerious occasions throughout the evening – to great effect. He landed three two-point frees and three single placed balls. It was this that allowed Naomh Malachi punish Cuchulainn in major fashion. The Omeath men had no response and crahsed out with the Malachi’s advance to the knockout stage.
Full Time – Naomh Malachi 1-14 Cuchulainn Gaels 1-11
Man of the Match – Darrin Kearney (Naomh Malachi)
A night to remember for the Naomh Malachi goalkeeper… At the opposite end of the pitch. Simply deadly from place balls, it was his 0-9 that won Naomh Malachi the game and his general level of kicking from both frees and the tee was exceptional.
Naomh Malachi team: Darrin Kearney (0-9, 3tpf & 3f); Sean McArdle, Daniel Mulligan, Lee McShane; Shea Burns, Jamie Kelly, Donal Begley; Kevin McShane, Jason Clarke; Darren Clarke (1-0, 1-0pen), Irala McMahon (0-1), Matty Campbell; Conor Nicholson(0-1), Andrew Begley(0-3, 1tp), Dean Murtagh
Subs: Collie Rooney and Paul Burke
Cuchulainn Gaels team: Ciaran Connolly; Aaron Donnelly, Sean Brennan, James Keenan; Martin Hynes, Philip McGovern, Brendan O’Hagan; Larry Brennan (0-2, 1tp), Rammie Phillips (0-1); David Reilly, James Sharkey (0-6, 1tpf, 1tp, 2f), Seamus McCabe (0-1); Adam Sharkey (1-1, 1-0pen & 1f), John-Paul Elmore, Eamonn Donnelly
Subs: Stephen Óg McGuinness and Jamie Molloy
Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)
