Maryland/Tang’s scoring power proves too much for St Joseph’s

Maryland/Tang 5-18 St Joseph’s 3-9

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Maryland/Tang went on a scoring spree to power past their opponents St Joseph’s, comfortably winning the U14 Division 4 league final at Drumraney on Wednesday evening of last week.

An amalgamation side at underage level, Maryland/Tang were too strong for St Joseph’s on the evening. They had scorers from all areas of the pitch. Midfielder Jayden Quinn chipped in with 2-6, Donnacha Brady scored 1-5 and nippy corner-forward Robert Keenan contributed 1-4. They had laid the platform for the win by half-time, leading 2-12 to 2-5.

St Joseph’s were wind assisted for the second half and the Streamstown/Horseleap side did have the perfect start after the resumption. But then they had one of their key players sent off, on a straight red card, and it was too high a mountain to climb with a player less. Donnacha Scally did all he could to bring his team back into the game, but Maryland/Tang had all the answers.

St Joseph’s actually got the better start and looked the better side in the first five minutes. They opened the scoring through a Daniel Cummins free and they had an abundance of opportunities to extend their lead but failed to capitalise.

Scally was driving forward at every opportunity. Playing against the wind, they did everything right, running the ball, except they didn’t score enough with their hard earned possession.

Once Maryland/Tang got going and into their rhythm, they scored at will. Jayden Quinn opened their account in the third minute, and he added another before his midfield partner, team captain Charlie Donoghue, kicked another score.

Scally then had a goal attempt crash off the post, another opportunity gone for St Joseph’s, before the eventual winners went on a scoring spree.

Robert Keenan was elusive inside and he kicked three scores in succession. Scally was trying to keep his side in the game as best he could, and he kicked a score for St Joseph’s.

Then came a blow to the visitors as Keenan scored a goal after a Charlie Donoghue provided the assist. Maryland/Tang were 1-7 to 0-2 in the ascendancy after the first quarter.

Again, Scally drove forward and kicked a brace of scores for St Joseph’s to give them a lift. Riled up by the vocal supporters, Joseph's scored two goals, the first from Jamie Costello and then Niall Farrell. Suddenly the score was Maryland/Tang 1-9 St Joseph’s 2-5, just the bare minimum between them, and St Joseph’s playing against the breeze.

Maryland/Tang weren’t rattled though after conceding two quick fire goals. Instead, they responded as scores from Donnacha Brady (including a goal) and Quinn (a free) gave them and a lead of seven points at the interval.

After the resumption, St Joseph’s came out fired up and determined, and they kicked two scores in a row from Scally and Farrell. But again they just didn’t score enough with their possession. Maryland/Tang were the total opposite; they scored from almost every attack and went on yet another scoring spree.

Charlie Donoghue scored their third goal and it was Quinn who scored their fourth. At that stage, the game looked over on the scoreboard. Maryland/Tang were leading 4-15 to 2-8 into the fourth quarter and there was no way back for a determined St Joseph’s side.

Having already lost Cummins to a red card, Joseph's would have also lost their talisman Scally to what would have been another red card, but the referee sensibly allowed St Joseph's to replace Scally and they continued with 14 players.

St Joseph’s had shown great determination all through and they scored a late consolation goal, courtesy of Tadhg Shiel.

But there was still time for two late Maryland/Tang scores before the celebrations began. Quinn grabbed the fifth goal and Brady got the last score of the game before the final whistle.

St Joseph’s played their part in this final, but Maryland/Tang were too strong on the evening and they deserved the win.

Player of the match: Jayden Quinn (Maryland/Tang). Gavin Higgins, Luke Kelly, Charlie Donoghue all contributed plenty in an all round team performance, but Quinn gets the nod for his 2-6 tally, also assisting in a number of scores. Donnacha Scally was best for St Joseph’s.

Scorers – Maryland/Tang: J Quinn 2-6 (0-1f); D Brady 1-5; R Keenan 1-4; C Donoghue 1-1; G Higgins 0-2. St Joseph’s: N Farrell 1-2; D Scally 0-4; J Costello and T Shiel 1-0 each; D Cummins 0-3 (3f).

Maryland/Tang - Harry Stanley; Daithi Murray, Oisin Donoghue, Robert Keegan; Luke Kelly, Danny Convey, James Cronolly; Charlie Donoghue, Jayden Quinn; Shane Convey, Gavin Higgins, Rory Callaghan; Luke Sloyan, Donnacha Brady, Robert Keenan. Subs used: Isaac Sloyan and Cillian Reddin.

St Joseph’s - Conor Seery; Seamus Keegan, Jamie Monaghan, Adam O’Rourke; Shane Clavin, Donnacha Scally, Tadhg Shiel; Jay Slevin, Daniel Cummins; Darragh Moran, Leo Gaynor, Johnny Moran; Jamie Costello, Niall Farrell, Cillian Looram. Subs used: Daniel Fallon, Senan Seery and Patrick Slevin.

Referee - Niall Ward (Garrycastle).