Donabate Community College U16s are through to the quarter-finals after a walkover for their first match and a significant win against Pobalscoil Neasain in Ballymastone.
The first half started brightly for DCC with Ollie Brooks scoring a well-taken point, after bamboozling his opponents with speedy footwork. Man of the match, Ryan Hensey put over a number of scores to maintain a strong lead for the home side. DCC controlled the majority of possession, despite Pobalscoil Neasain creating dangerous counter attacks leading to scores. Goalkeeper Conor Culleton consistently hit DCC players with his kickouts which led to Donabate being able to attack Pobalscoil Neasain with pace. Max Murray pushed Donabate further into the lead going in at halftime with a deceptive shot hitting the back of the net off the post.
From early on in the second half, Pobalscoil Neasain pinned DCC back nd knocked over some important scores to reduce their deficit. Stephen McDermott made a tremendous run up the pitch following DCC winning the ball back on their own 45, which led to him hand-passing the ball across the face of the goal for Peter Keogh to palm into the empty net. Aaron Wright and Oisín McGillicuddy held their line brilliantly in the second half, intercepting passes and putting in challenges along with the rest of the defence. Alex Groves switched with Conor Culleton to go in goals for the second half, making a number of Cluxton-esque saves. In the end, DCC ended the game with a comfortable victory winning 5-13 to 4-10.
The school would like to wish the team and manager Mr Claffey all the best in their future matches in the New Year.
Donabate CC: Conor Culleton, Oisín McGillicuddy, Brian Hanratty, Alex Groves, Dylan Carr, Padraic McGill, Aaron Wright, Killian McKeon, Ryan Hensey, Seán Collins, Stephen McDermott, Cormac Burke, Max Murray, Ollie Brooks, Peter Keogh, Tony Kealy