Mount Sion 2-17
De La Salle 0-16
MOUNT SION CELEBRATED their first county final appearance since 2006 after a rousing victory over De La Salle at a sunny Walsh Park.
After losing their previous two semi finals, second half strikes from Stephen Roche and Sean Ryan ended an eight year wait for the Monastery men.
Waterford star Austin Gleeson gave an authoritative display at centre back with wing men Michael Gaffney and Owen Whelan also on top. Ian O’Regan produced two inspiring second half saves to keep De La Salle at bay.
At midfield, the busy Stephen Roche scored 1-2 and the unerring Martin O’Neill landed seven dead balls. The experience of Tony Browne, Eoin McGrath and Sean Ryan shone up front for the worthy winners.
The sides were level five times over the opening thirty as they departed on equal measure at nine points apiece.
Within two minutes of the restart, Stephen Roche burst down the right flank and flashed a shot to the corner of the net. Sean Ryan tucked away Sion’s second on 36 minutes following a Tony Browne delivery as Anthony Kirwan’s side surged five points clear (2-10 to 0-11).
Salle battled back and Jake Dillon led the charge with four frees and a 65’. The inter county forward finished with ten points. Paudie Nevin narrowed to one with twelve minutes remaining but Allen Dillon’s men will rue 15 costly wides.
A hungry Sion steadied the ship as the De La Salle misses mounted. They claimed the last six points in a stirring conclusion. O’Neill slotted three placed balls, Sean Ryan grabbed a late double and Eoin McGrath added another to accomplish their mission.
Scorers for Mount Sion: Martin O’Neill 0-7 (6fs, 1 65’), Stephen Roche, Sean Ryan 1-2 each, Tony Browne 0-3, Eoin McGrath 0-2, Austin Gleeson 0-1.
Scorers for De La Salle: Jake Dillon 0-10 (7fs, 1 65’), Paidi Nevin, John Mullane 0-2 each, Eoin Madigan, John Keane 0-1 each.
Mount Sion
1. Ian O’Regan
2. Mark Hoban
3. Christopher Ryan
4. Stephen O’Neill
5. Michael Gaffney
6. Austin Gleeson
7. Owen Whelan
8. Martin O’Neill
9. Stephen Roche
10. Tony Browne
11. Eoin McGrath
12. Martin ‘F’ O’Neill
13. Richard Roche
14. Sean Ryan
15. Gavin Carroll
Subs: Ian Galgey for Carroll (H-T), Michael Daykin for R Roche (46), Peter Penkert for Hoban (61).
De La Salle
1. John Coady
2. Oran Keevers
3. Ian Flynn
4. Stephen Dalton
5. Brian Phelan
6. Kevin Moran
7. Shane McNulty
8. Jack Kennedy
9. Dean Twomey
10. Paidi Nevin
11. John Mullane
12. David Greene
13. Jake Dillon
14. Eoin Madigan
15. John Keane
Subs: Stephen Daniels for Phelan (24), Adam Farrell for Greene (39), Eddie Barrett for Keane (45).
Referee: Pat Casey