Deadly Dowling proves difference
A stirring second-half revival saw St Fergal's of Rathdowney advance to the semi-finals with a gritty win on their own patch over Scoil Mhuire of Johnstown.
The visitors looked much the stronger side in the opening period, but the concession of a string of frees cost them dearly, and with St Fergal's forward Tadgh Dowling unerringly accurate, the Laois side eventually ground out the win.
Dowling chipped in with 11 of his side's tally, with seven of those coming from placed balls, and ultimately that proved to be the difference between the sides.
Goals from Jason Stanley and Shane Donnelly handed the Kilkenny boys a deserved five-point lead at the break. But St Fergal's improved radically after the interval to claw their way back and claim victory.
Scorers -- St Fergal's: T Dowling 0-11 (7f), D Quinlan 0-3, S Clear, S Bergin, D Hogan, D Fitzpatrick 0-1 each. Johnstown: J Stanley 1-3, S Donnelly 1-1, K Sweeney 0-4 (2f), W Brennan 0-1f.
St Fergal's Rathdowney -- E Fleming; C Stapleton, O Doyle, N Delaney; B Meade, G Dunne, S Finane; D Hogan, D Fitzpatrick; T Dowling, S Corby, R Bowe; S Clear, D Quinlan, A Corby. Subs: S Bergin for Bowe (30), C Quinlane for Delaney (46)
Scoil Mhuire Johnstown -- S Moriarty; N O'Gorman, M Drennan, B Webster; L Hughes, W Brennan, S Quinlan; L Hickey, D O'Gorman; P Duggan, K Sweeney, J Kenny; B Webster, J Stanley, S Donnelly. Subs: O Vaughan for Duggan (21), J Bergin for Webster (41), C Martin for Quinlan (56).
Ref -- E Fitzpatrick.
- St Fergal's 0-18 , Scoil Mhuire 2-9
Irish Independent
