St Mel's College, Longford, boosted by a splendid third quarter performance, qualified for the semi-finals of the Leinster Colleges senior football A championship when they comfortably accounted for Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar, after an entertaining game at Mullingar yesterday.
However, early in the game Colaiste Mhuire looked the sharper side with Declan Cassidy causing the Longford defenders all sorts of problems - the Mullingar side going four points ahead inside five minutes.
Indeed, it took the winners some time to settle down and with Colaiste Mhuire 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the break, few in the large attendance could have predicted the Longford college's second-half dominance.
Prompted by some intelligent play from gifted full forward Michael Kenny, St Mel's slotted home two goals within six minutes of the resumption, the first by Finbarr O'Neill in the 35th minute and the second from James Duignan a minute later.
St Mel's continued to dictate the trend of play and Tommy Washington assured them of victory with a third goal in the 54th minute.
St Mel's: D Feeney; P Farrell, D Glennon, N Rattigan; G Ghee, S Carroll, B Casey; F O'Neill (1-2), P Casserly; W J McDermott (0-2), C Guckian, J Duignan (1-1); S Farrell (0-2), M Kenny (0-2), T Washington (1-2). Sub: C Murtagh for P Farrell.
Colaiste Mhuire: T Reilly; K Baker, N Molloy, D Baker; D Carey, M Burke, J Kiernan; P McDonnell, N Breslin; B Elliffe (0-1), D Curley (0-2), D Kilmartin; C Whyte (0-2), M Walls (0- 2), D Cassidy (0-4). Subs: G Gavin for D Carey; J Coyne for B Elliffe; T Nally for M Burke.
Referee: S Sheridan (Westmeath).
A brilliant display by midfielder Peter Tormey, which saw him score seven points, was the catalyst for holders St Finians' 313 to 3-9 victory over Donaghies CS in the Dublin Colleges senior football championship at Donamede yesterday. The winners led 1-8 to 1-6 at the interval.
