Marist march on to semi finals with narrow win
Marist College 0-9 Knockbeg College 0-8 By Kieran Galvin A wasteful Marist College side ultimately did enough to win a tense Leinster Colleges SF 'A' quarter-final against Knockbeg College at Castledaly yesterday (Friday). Three players were sent off in a sometimes niggly encounter, with Knockbeg playing the majority of the game with a numerical disadvantage. Despite hitting a total of 15 wides, the Athlone side claimed victory by the minimum margin. The first dismissal came in the 17th minute when Knockbeg centre-forward Aaron Forbes was red-carded as a result of an off-the-ball incident. Referee Patrick Nelis issued the card after consulting with one of his umpires. At that stage, the boys from the Carlow/Laois border led by 0-4 to 0-2, but the sending-off saw Marist take the initiative in terms of possession and territory. After a first half decorated by fine long-range points from Knockbeg midfielders John Joe Mahon and Conor Hogan, Marist trailed 0-4 to 0-5. Approaching the final ten minutes, Knockbeg led 0-7 to 0-5 but points by Robert Ashe and Niall McInerney drew the Athlone side level. Substitute Peter Ryan put the Marist in front and Knockbeg's problems then increased when goalkeeper Danny Bolger was sent off. A Niall Neary free added to home side's lead before Marist substitute Andrew O'Sullivan was also shown a straight red card. With the last kick of the game, Knockbeg's Michael Keogh blasted over a point from a free as the Marist held on. Amazingly, after a second half in which there were several stoppages, only two minutes of injury time were played - something which didn't go down well in the Knockbeg camp. Marist will face Leinster and All-Ireland champions St Mary's, Edenderry in the semi-finals - a dramatic improvement in their shooting will be needed if they are to advance further. The semi-final is due to take place on Saturday, February 23 - venue to be confirmed. Marist College: T Finnerty; B O'Donohoe, E Quigley, M McArdle; J Marshment, C Marlowe, R Ashe (0-1); A Curley, S Omukoro; M Monaghan, N Neary (0-3, 2 frees), TJ Fox; N Kelly (0-1), N McInerney (0-1), A Byrne (0-2, 1 free). Subs: D King for Marshment (10 mins); P Ryan (0-1) for Monaghan (48); A O'Sullivan for Fox. Knockbeg College: D Bolger; L O'Sullivan, D Brophy, K Doyle; A Campion, D Ramsbottom, A Brennan; JJ Mahon (0-1), C Hogan (0-1); M Keogh (0-1, free), A Forbes, D O'Reilly; E O'Neill, D Tompkins (0-1, free), C Murphy (0-4, 4 frees). Subs: D McDermott for Brophy (25 mins); David Lawlor for O'Neill (48); D Halpin for Murphy (55); Aaron McGrath for McDermott. Referee: P Nelis (Meath). *See this week's Westmeath Independent for full reports on the Leinster Colleges games involving Marist College and Athlone Community College.