Good Counsel end Marist College dreams in Leinster quarter final

Good Counsel, New Ross 1-11 Marist College, Athone 2-5

A brilliantly taken 44th minute goal from Good Counsel midfielder Darragh Joyce proved decisive as the Wexford college deservedly qualified for the Leinster Colleges SFC A semi-final with a three point victory over Marist College, Athone at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow yesterday.

Joyce’s goal was excellently constructed as Counsel moved the ball from their own kick-out, the full length of the field before centre forward Mikie Dwyer off-loaded to the Kilkenny minor hurler, who beat Conor Devaney in the Marist goal with a superb finish. The Wexford side then led 1-10 to 2-2.

The victors fully deserved their win. They were the dominant side for most of the hour but fell victim to Marist goals at the start and end of the first half from left half forward Luke Carty and full forward Aaron Roarke. The midlanders led 2-2 to 0-6 at the break, Counsel, having been favoured with the wind and having kicked seven wides they appeared to be in trouble.

But it was Wexford college who took complete control in the third quarter and with Darragh Lyons and Darragh Joyce in midfield control, allied with wing forward Jason Sheily’s great form from placed balls, they had edged 0-10 to 2-2 in front when Joyce found the Marist net. Substitute Jamie Meyler also chipped in with a fine point from play.

Marist, who defeated the much-fancied St Pat’s of Navan last time out, applied late pressure which produced a brace of points from substitute Cathal Mannion, but the game had already slipped away from them.

Good Counsel: C O'Connor; D Kelly, D O'Connor, S Bardon (0-1); E Porter, J Sutton, B Power; D Lyons, D Joyce (1-0); J Sheily (0-5, 0-4 frees), M Dwyer (0-1), T Coady (0-1); A Swan, B Whitty (0-1), T O'Connor (0-1, free). Subs: J Meyler (0-1) for Coady (h/t); I Carthy for Kelly (h/t).

Marist College: C Devaney; M Nolan, E Nally, A Daly; M McGloin, E McCormack, J Curley; R Cooper (0-1, free), D Reid; C Quinn, J McDonnell, L Carthy (1-0); C Gleeson (0-1, free), A Roarke (1-1), B Stack. Sub: C Mannion (0-2, 0-1free) for McDonnell (46).

Referee: P Moran (Laois).