ST DOMINIC’S Belfast shook off a determined challenge from Castleknock Community College in the St Brigid’s Castleknock GAA grounds yesterday to set up an Allianz Dónal Burke Cup semi-final with Scoil Mhuire agus Íde Newcastlewest in a fortnight.
The teams were level at the break, but the visitors from Belfast were improved for the second half and two goals from Lámh Dhearg and Antrim minor forward Aoife Fitzsimons gave them a lead they weren’t going to surrender.
Castleknock opened with a point from the excellent Mary Bourke, who went on to claim all but a point of their total. The home side had most of the early pressure and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes. They stretched that to 1-4 to 0-2 after 15 minutes with a goal from Bourke.
Maeve Devlin points had been keeping St Dominic’s going during that period of Castleknock pressure. Her goal from a long range free then pulled her side back into contention. Right on the half-time whistle Méabh Rooney goaled to leave the scores level at 1-8 to 2-5.
St Dominic’s went two up in the early stages of the second half with points from Maeve Devlin and Aoife Fitzsimons. Although Bourke hit back with a point, Fitzsimons went through for a superb solo goal. This was followed by a point from Cliona McGinley and then a second goal from Fitzsimmons in the 48th minute.
While Bourke clipped over a couple of points in response, the gap was too wide and St Dominic’s had secured the win.
St Dominic’s: A Fitzsimons 2-1, M Devlin 1-4, M Rooney 1-0, C McGinley 0-2, R MacElhatton 0-1.
Castleknock: M Bourke 1-10, E Plunkett 0-1.
St Dominic’s
1. Aoife Rice (Naomh Pol)
2. Roise McCourt (Rossa)
3. Abaigh McNally (Naomh Pol)
4. Tara Culbert (Naomh Gall)
5. Maisie Monaghan (Naomh Brid)
6. Cara Lynch (Lamh Dhearg)
7. Amy Gault (Naomh Pol)
8. Maeve Devlin (Naomh Pol)
9. Amelie Annett (Lamh Dhearg)
10. Erin Stewart (Rossa)
11. Hannah McAllister (Naomh Eoin)
12. Aoife Fitzsimons (Lamh Dhearg)
13. Cliona McGinley (Naomh Eanna)
14. Rionagh MacElhatton (Naomh Brid)
15. Meabh Rooney (Ardoyne)