Sport

Devastating St Jarlath's

The defending champions St Jarlath's Tuam swept into another All-Ireland Colleges SF A Final - against St Patrick's , Maghera…

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Mon Apr 07 2003 - 01:00

The defending champions St Jarlath's Tuam swept into another All-Ireland Colleges SF A Final - against St Patrick's , Maghera - following this devastating display against the Leinster champions St Mel's, Longford in this one-sided semi-final played at Dr Hyde Park Roscommon yesterday .

Before a crowd of 3,000 St Jarlath's totally dominated throughout and a mini revival by St Mel's in the final quarter which yielded 1-4 on the scoreboard only added respectability to the scoreboard.

St Jarlath's were in total control from the very first minute and with James Kavanagh and Michael Finneran ruling the roost at midfield, the Tuam college were never in trouble. Upfront, Sean Armstrong was the star turn, kicking three of St Jarlath's first half points to help his side to a 0-5 to 0-0 half time lead.

In fact, it took St Mel's 38 minutes to get their first score, a point from Ciaran Williams. However, St Jarlath's always had the upper hand in almost every position on the field.

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With seven minutes left, St Jarlath's led by 0-13 to 0-4 and were coasting to victory but St Mel's finished with a flourish and full forward Joe O'Brien fisted a Colin Smith free to the Jarlaths net in the 29th minute. However it was of consolation value only.

This was a great team display from St Jarlath's. Ger Ahearne was splendid at full back while other defenders to shine were Gary Sice and Cathal Blake. James Kavanagh and Michael Finneran found a solid midfield partnership while upfront Armstrong was the star, scoring five points from play and others to catch the eye were Simon McGuinness and Thomas Fitzgerald.

Scorers: St Jarlaths: S Armstrong (0-5), J Kavanagh and T Fitzgerald (0-2) each, C Blake, M Finneran, S McGuinness, A Kilcoyne and J Donoghue (0-1) each. St Mels: J O'Brien (1-0), C Williams (0-3), C Smith (0-2), A Murphy (0-1).

ST JARLATHS: P Doherty, N Rhatigan, G Ahearne, M Flannery, R Finnegan, G Sice, C Blake, J Kavanagh, M Finneran, S McGuinness, F Breathnach, T Fitzgerald, S Armstrong, A Kilcoyne, J Donoghue. Sub: V Feeney for Donoghue.

ST MEL'S: P Farrell, B Mahon, B McCormack, N Flynn, S Donoghue, E Williams, J Balfe, A Murphy, J McCormack, C Smith, C Cooney, M Tarmey, E Ward, J O'Brien, C Williams. Subs: D Gibbons for Ward, S Dowd for Balfe, E Gallagher for Cooney.

Referee: Pat McEneaney (Monaghan).