Cuala with a huge win to book a Semi-Final spot

Image courtesy Conor Ryan

CUALA 4-20 

CLONTARF 0-12

Cuala took another progressive step towards defending their Go Ahead-Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship title as they defeated Clontarf by twenty points at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. 

It was the holders that controlled large parts of the first-half, despite playing against the stiffening breeze, with goals by Cillian Dunne and Con O’Callaghan early in the second quarter prompting a healthy 2-5 to 0-6 interval lead. 

The Dalkey outfit kept up the pressure in the second-half and they raised further green flags through Conor Groarke and Charlie McMorrow in the final quarter. 

It was the familiar figure of Con O’Callaghan who opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, an isolated moment of accuracy as both teams struggled with their marksmanship in the early stages.

The contest failed to sparkle as a result but a run from under the stand by Jack McCaffrey allowed Kieran McKeon sufficient time to convert from outside the arc, handing Clontarf the lead by the 12th minute. 

While Con O’Callaghan levelled matters from a free soon after, Clontarf were defending impressively as they limited the chances that came Cuala’s way. 

However, their defences were breached at the start of the second quarter as a storming run from Dunne down the middle saw him exchange passes with Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne before planting a lofted finish beyond Brian Dufficy. 

Matters deteriorated for the challengers in the 18th minute with Michael Fitzsimons the instigator on this occasion and Con O’Callaghan made light work of the ensuing finish with a powerful low shot from eight yards. 

Clontarf responded well to these body blows through points by Senan Ryan and McKeon and a fine two-pointed effort from Nathan Doran in the 27th minute limited the damage to five points by the turnaround.    

Con O’Callaghan was once again responsible for the first score of the second-half, turning sharply to point off his left and his improvised pass when under pressure saw McMorrow add a two-pointer in the 33rd minute. 

The All-Ireland champions continued to build on their lead through Cal Doran and Con O’Callaghan before Charlie Meehan popped over at the opposite end for Clontarf in the 38thminute. 

A two-pointed free from O’Callaghan helped nullify two quickfire points by McKeon at the end of the third quarter as Cuala continued to hold the upper hand, leading by ten points.

Cuala’s slick interplay was in evidence as they settled the issue in the 48th minute as substitute Conor Groarke put the finishing touches to a move involving Doran and Con O’Callaghan. 

The latter provided the final pass for the marauding McMorrow to blast home in the 57thminute with further gloss put on the final scoreline through late points from substitutes Jamie Conroy and Jamie Keenan.  

Scorers – Cuala: C O’Callaghan 1-8 (2f, 1 F2); C McMorrow 1-3; N O’Callaghan 0-4 (1 P2); C Groarke, C Dunne 1-0 each; E Kennedy, David O’Dowd, C Doran, J Keenan, J Conroy 0-1 apiece. Clontarf: K McKeon 0-6 (1 P2); N Doran (P2), E Doherty (P2) 0-2 each; C Meehan, S Ryan 0-1 apiece. 

Cuala: Darragh O’Dowd; D Conroy, M Fitzsimons, E O’Callaghan; David O’Dowd, C McMorrow, E Kennedy; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; C Dunne, C Doran, O Hussey; N O’Callaghan, C O’Callaghan, C O’Brien. Subs: C Groarke for Hussey (39), C Mulally for David O’Dowd (46), J Keenan for O’Brien (46), D O’Sullivan for Duffy (50), J Conroy for Doran (52).  

Clontarf: B Dufficy; L Howley, C Ahearne, D Devilly; A Byrne, M Mac Donncha, J McCaffrey; N Doran, L Cunningham; S Ryan, C Meehan, L O’Boyle; J Hanley, S Horkan, K McKeon. Subs: D Fagan for Hanley (38), M McMahon for Byrne (38), P O’Grady for Howley (48), E Doherty for O’Boyle (48), F Delaney for Horkan (53). 

Referee: PJ Murray (St Finian’s, Swords).