Super-sub Leavy inspires Dunderry to Leinster semi

Tommy Leavy's side defeated Clanna Gael Fonetnoy and sealed their spot in the Leinster JHC semi-final.

Dunderry 1-24

Clanna Gael Fontenoy 3-12

Inspired by their super half-time sub Mark Leavy, Dunderry produced a stunning second-half performance to cruise past Clanna Gael Fontenoy in the Leinster JHC quarter-final at Devenish Park on Saturday.

Clanna Gael were largely the better side in the first-half but had nothing to show for it at the break as Evan Nolan’s goal on the cusp of half-time drew the sides level. Mark Leavy’s exploits after the restart helped Dunderry outscore their opponents by 0-9 to 0-3 in the third quarter.

Dunderry responded well to both of Clanna Gael’s goals in the final quarter and in the end deservedly advanced to the semi-final.

Nolan slotted some spectacular frees and secured a fine tally of 1-10. Luke Martyn was very composed at centre forward while Ciaran O’Brien caused a lot of issues for the Clanna Gael defence.

In the first half, Max Morgan was lively for the visitors but when Dunderry got on top of proceedings, their defence held firm and Morgan’s influence was curtailed.

Enda Carroll also caused a couple of issues for the Dunderry defence and he finished with 2-2. It was Carroll that opened the scoring for Clanna Gael before Morgan followed up quickly with another point. Scores for Cathal Barron and Nolan restored parity after six minutes.

The sides traded scores as Jamie Leavy did well to set up Martyn for a nice score. Clanna Gael looked stronger and sharper in the first quarter and a Sean Curzan free that dropped short handed Carroll an opportunity for a goal which he slotted to the net after a slight error on the part of Jack Fagan. The Dublin outfit led at the end of the first quarter by 1-5 to 0-5.

Dunderry responded well and a good cross-field pass from O’Brien was well gathered by Nolan and he split the posts before he scored a long range free to reduce the gap back to the minimum. Clanna Gael restored their advantage with two points on the spin before some poor defending handed Nolan an opportunity for a goal right on the cusp of half-time. Nolan fired the sliotar to the roof of the net and at the break the sides were level with 1-7 apiece.

Mark Leavy was introduced at half-time and made an immediate impact. He won three frees in the first five minutes of the second-half all of which Nolan slotted. Nolan then scored another free from his own ‘65’ before Mark Leavy got off the mark himself.

Morgan’s score in the 38th minute was initially waved wide by the umpire but after consultation with the referee the score was awarded. O’Brien rattled of two points in quick succession before Barron put Dunderry ahead by seven points with 20 minutes left.

Two frees towards the end of the third quarter from Curzan kept Clanna Gael in touch. Mark Leavy got on the end of a lovely move and raised a white flag after some good interlink play Niall O Laoire and Nolan.

In the 47th minute, Clanna Gael brought themselves right back into contention when Morgan found the back of the net after Carroll’s shot was initially well saved by Fagan.

However, Dunderry’s response was very quick and effective. Martyn shrewdly won a foul on top of the D which Nolan fired over. Martyn followed uo with a score of his own before points from Jamie Leavy and O’Brien put Dunderry ahead by seven points with eight minutes left.

Carroll traded points with Mark Leavy before Morgan brought his tally to 1-4 with a free. Carroll fired home his second goal late on which kept the away sides hopes alive but it was Dunderry who finished strong and cruised to the finish line with three cracking points from their star performers on the day Mark Leavy, Nolan and O’Brien.

Mark Leavy’s late point was particularly eye-catching and it rounded off a super display from the half-time substitute who struggled for game time during the club championship after a nasty injury early on in the campaign.

Dunderry will now face Gusserane-O`Rahilly's from Wexford in the semi-final of the Leinster JHC on Sunday, 22nd November.

Dunderry: Jack Fagan; Darragh Fay, Conor Leavy, TJ Loughran; Niall O Laoire, William Treacy, Rian Fay; Adam Kelly (0-1), Jamie Duffy; Cathal Barron (0-2), Luke Martyn (0-2), Ciaran O’Brien (0-4); Evan Nolan (1-10 seven frees), Jamie Leavy (0-1), Harry Crinion. Subs: Ronan Brady for Fay, Fionn McHale for Treacy, Mark Leavy (0-4) for Crinion all half-time, Padraic Stephens for Loughran, Niall Darcy for Martyn both 58m.

Clanna Gael Fontenoy: Dean Fitzpatrick; Michael Culligan, Brian Barron, Niall Madill; Alan Culligan, Aidan Carroll, Mikey Cullina; James Crowley, Karl Morgan; Seamus McCann (0-1), Sean Curzon (0-4 three frees), Liam O’Laoide (0-1); Max Morgan (1-4 one free), Enda Carroll (2-2), Aidan Duffy. Subs: Paul Cobbs for A Culligan 42m, Don Hanley for Madill, Colm Kirby O’Briain for Curzon both 52m.

Referee: Sean Maher (Offaly).