Strong second half showing sees St. Nathy’s ease into All Ireland final
Western Gaels duo Patrick Gaynor and James Cassidy helped St. Nathy's progress to the All Ireland Senior B football final.
St. Nathy’s College progressed through to the Paddy Drummond Cup (All Ireland Senior B) final following an emphatic second half showing.
Although they enjoyed wind advantage in the final half, St. Nathy’s were highly impressive outscoring their opponents 1-11 to 0-1 in the second half to set up an All Ireland final with Longford’s Cnoc Mhuire Granard. Their defence tightened up substantially as the Ballaghaderreen side kept Mount Saint Michael scoreless from play in the final period.
Meanwhile, Dean Casey’s eight point haul meant the winners were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over throughout the second half. Declan Duffy’s 38th minute goal, after Casey had kicked 0-3 in a four minute spell, moved this game beyond Mount Saint Michael Rosscarbery.
The early stages didn’t indicate this game would turn out as it did. Cork U-20 footballer Ronan Hayes looked dangerous early doors as he nailed two early points. However, St. Nathy’s always appeared to have the greater spread of threats as a gem of an effort from James Cassidy gave his side a lead they would not relinquish.
Mount Saint Michael wing forward Oran O’Donovan only found the side netting when going for goal. It was a warning St. Nathy’s heeded as they struck their first blow immediately afterwards. James Cassidy’s aerial delivery was fielded by Ryan O’Sullivan, who buried to the bottom corner of the net after eight minutes.
Even though Luke O’Neill slotted a two-point free for the Munster champions, a run of 1-2 without reply was capped by a terrific finish by Conor Moriarty to the roof of the net. This saw St. Nathy’s lead 2-5 to 0-4 after the first quarter.
The Cork side came back and outscored their foes 0-6 to 0-2 in the second quarter. Another O’Neill two-point free and three more efforts from Hayes gave the Cork side belief. St. Nathy’s saw a 25th minute goal from Aaron Duffy chalked off for a square ball but they still led 2-7 to 0-10 at half time.
St. Nathy’s turned on the gas after the break as Casey’s quick three points, including a two-point free stretched their advantage. Duffy struck the decisive blow in the 38th minute when he palmed Moriarty’s long range effort past Ciaran Campbell.
From there, St. Nathy’s managed the game impressively as midfielder Sean Buckley kicked four points, including a two-pointer, in the final period. Noah Gill and Ronan Coleman came off the bench to slot scores as St. Nathy’s reached the All Ireland Senior B final for the first time since 2018.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
