St Judes qualified for the Semi-final of the U21 B Championship in dramatic style in Clondalkin on Saturday afternoon last. Having raced into a 0-4 to no score lead, a Dean O’Rourke point opened Towers account in bitterly cold conditions. Judes then reeled off another exquisite point from the left boot of their corner forward out near the left touchlin, before Manus Smith from Towers hit a debatable wide followed by a well taken goal after great work by Eric Finn. St Judes went into half time one point up. The frustration of several Towers players over the decisions by veteran referee Jim Turner led to three first half cards for dissent, including a bizzare decision against Towers centre back Barry Keane, who appeared to execute a perfect flick up only to be called back for picking the ball off the ground.
Judes started the second half as they started the first by rattling off the first four points before Eoghan Moore who had worked hard throughout for Towers knocked over a point after a goalmouth scramble. Manus Smith made it two goals for the day after a great run and finish to leave the minimum between the sides, Towers failed to kick on from here and when Tom Lyons slipped and appeared to be fouled in the build up led to a Judes point, Barry Keane fell foul of Jim Turner’s cards and saw a second yellow for dissent. Towers then hit the post with a free which saw Judes go down the other end and score a point. Three points was the margin between the sides as we entered injury time and following a foul on Ciaran Carr, Dean Rock stepped up with a chance to level the game. His well struck shot came off the underside of the bar and despite Towers appeals, Jim Turner blew for full time.
By mcglynnmichael
Wed 14th Dec
