Abbey VS create more history by defeating Dunmore CS to reach Colleges All-Ireland final

Abbey VS added another chapter to their history when they defeated Dunmore CS to reach the final of the Paddy Drummond Cup All-Ireland Colleges B final at Kent Park, Sligo.

Driven on by captain Seanán Carr, the Donegal Town boys were out of the traps well and they were never really troubled in the second half. The final will be played on 9th March but no venue has yet to released. Abbey will play Ashbourne CS from  Meath, who defeated Mitchelstown CBS 2-13 to 2-8 in the other semi-final.

Abbey VS got off to the perfect start with Conor McCahill pointing inside the first minute. And by the 5th minute the Donegal Town boys were on fire with Donal Gallagher driving forward to find Tiarnan McBride to point with his left.

Seanán Carr added a third point and  then Caolan Sweeney worked an opening for Conor McCahill to fire to the net and a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.

Callum McCrea breaks a tackle for Abbey VS Picture: Thomas Gallagher

Colm Costello had Dunmore’s first point from  a 6th minute free but Conor Meehan cancelled that score after seven minutes.

But then Dunmore got their second wind and had the next three points from Padraig Martyn, Colm Costello (a disputed free with the umpires not on the same wavelength) and Robert Heneghan to reduce the lead to three.

Conor Meehan settled things with a mark on 14 minutes and Seanán Carr added a free from distance to leave it 1-6 to 0-4 after 17 minutes.

Aaron McGrory added another after a great break out from ‘keeper Daniel McGinty but Dunmore hit back with two points in 30 seconds, both from Colm Costello, a mark and a free.

Costello missed an easy free chance before great work by Seanán Carr, Kevin  Muldoon and Callum McCrea, Conor Meehan fired over and from the kick-out Abbey poured forward again and Conor McCahill put six between the sides on the stroke of half-time.

Half-time: Abbey VS 1-9, Dunmore CS 0-6.

Dunmore had the opening point of the second half after Daniel  McGinty was again harshly penalised for delaying the kick-out. From the throw-up, Robert Heneghan found the posts.

Captain Seanán Carr shows his determination against Dunmore CS Picture: Thomas Gallagher

But Abbey responded with Kevin Muldoon pointing and Conor Meehan fired over a free to push the lead to seven after 37 minutes. Padraig Martyn cut the lead but Meehan fired over another on the loop. Kevin Muldoon added another to put the Donegal Town boys ahead by eight points on 43 minutes.

Costello had a free but Seanán Carr replied for Abbey from a difficult free from an angle to leave it 1-14 to 0-9 after 47 minutes.

Costello was the main scoring force for Dunmore and struck two from play to cut the lead to six again with 10 minutes left.

Conor Meehan was off target with a free and Costello hit his eighth point to cut the lead to five with five minutes left. The experience of Seanán Carr and Kevin Muldoon saw the latter stall the Dunmore comeback. Conor McCahill fired just over the crossbar and the win was secured when Turlough Carr drove forward and his effort came back off the bar and Johnathan O’Driscoll finished to the net for the second goal.

Dunmore had a consolation late goal from the penalty spot from Colm Costello. Costello also got a late free but Patrick Gormley had the final score for the winners.

Abbey VS scorers: Conor McCahill 1-3; Conor Meehan 0-5,1f,1m;  Johnathan O’Driscoll 1-0; Seanán Carr 0-3,2f; Kevin Muldoon 0-3; Aaron McGrory, Tiarnan McBride, Patrick Gormley 0-1 each.

Dunmore CS scorers: Colm Costello 1-9,1-0 pen,7f,m; Robert Heneghan 0-2;  Padraig Martyn 0-2.

Abbey VS, Donegal Town: Conor McGinty; Terence McGovern, Leo McGowan, Donal Gallagher; Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan; Tiarnan McBride, Kevin Muldoon; Turlough Carr, Seanán Carr, Oisin Mogan; Conor McCahill,  Aaron McGrory, Conor Meehan.

Subs: Patrick Gormley for O Mogan (34); Jonathan O’Driscoll for McGrory (42); Theo Colhoun for McGovern (53)

Dunmore CS, Galway: Chris Donnellan; Luke Dowling, Finian Cronin, Scott Glynn; Dylan Hannon, Dylan Connelly, Johnathon Meehan; Ruairi Walkin, Niall Heneghan; Robert Glynn, Robert Heneghan, Daithi Reddington; Barry Murray, Padraig  Martyn, Colm Costello.

Subs:

Referee: Michael McGirl (Leitrim)