Dublin Institute of Technology: 4-18
Hibernia College: 3-6
In their first competitive game, Hibernia College Men's Gaelic Football Team were beaten by a strong DIT team. This CA Laighean Senior Football Championship first round match allows teams of 11 players. Hibernia College students travelled from all over Ireland, and put up a very spirited and committed performance, captained by Jess Codd on the day. The score line reflected better organisation from DIT, who have had months training and playing together.
Hibernia lost the toss and had to play into a very stiff breeze in the first half. With their first possession however, the ball was moved forward by Diarmuid Coghlan to Paul Crehan who slotted over the first (ever!) point for Hibernia College. DIT replied with a well taken point from open play and two points from free kicks to lead 3 points to 1 after ten minutes. However, using the strong wind, the play was beginning to concentrate in Hibernia’s danger area. Fine goalkeeping from Gary Corcoran prevented two almost certain goals. Then Ruari Lambe bravely won a free kick out when DIT had the ball in the goal. On clearing the ball, Hibernia got a rare attacking opportunity to bring the score to 3-2 with a fine point from Declan Maher breaking from midfield half way through the first half.
DIT took this score as the catalyst to really push on, possibly realising they would be facing into the strong wind in the second half. They scored a point from a free kick on 17 minutes, and from the kick out won the ball to point from play almost immediately. A pattern developed of free scoring from endless possession off Hibernia’s kick out. Hibernia’s defence was unable to cope. DIT scored three goals and eight points before a relieved Hibernia could regroup at half time, with the score now at 3-12 for DIT to Hibernia’s solitary 2 points.
DIT made a number of changes for the second half which started with a quick point from Alan Corr. Then Corr set up Paul Crehan to fist the ball just wide when a goal would have given hope of a remarkable turnaround. Another goal attempt from Kevin Flynn was just wide, and then Jess Codd had a shot on target but it was well saved. DIT then replied by passing well out of defence, through midfield and scored a point. Worse for Hibernia, they won possession and despite the wind, scored a long range goal followed by two more points in a bad period for Hibernia leaving the score DIT 4 goals and 15 points to Hibernia College’s 3 points half way through the second half.
Then Jess Codd scored a point in open play following good work from the industrious Diarmuid Coughlan. DIT replied with a point, but Declan Maher set up Alan Corr for a good point and Eoin McDomhnaill scored a goal which lifted the Hibernia team to push on. Alan Corr scored his third point, Jess Codd set up Declan Maher for a good goal, and then Eoin McDomhnaill put in a great ball for Jess Codd to score. The defence limited DIT to only two more points with good work from Martin Delaney and Conchur O’Nualain leaving the final score at DIT 4-18 to Hibernia College’s 3-6. The team had some consolation in their strong finish, winning the second half by 3 goals and 4 points to DIT’s 1 goal and 6. Many thanks to all the students for representing the Hibernia College and for those who helped organise it and supported the team on the day.
TEAM: Gary Corcoran (Offaly), Conchur O’Nualain (Dublin), Ruari Lambe (Dublin), Martin Delaney (Offaly), Alan Corr (Wicklow, 0-3), Eoin McDomhnaill (Clare, 1-0), Declan Maher (Dublin, 1-1), Diarmuid Coghlan (Dublin), Kevin Flynn (Westmeath), Jess Codd (Wexford, 1-1, Captain), Paul Crehan (Clare, 0-1).