Lydon and Boyle hit goal trail as St. Enda’s coast to victory

St. Enda’s College 4-15

Coláiste Mhuire 0-10

ST. Enda’s College greater technical proficiency and ability to create and take their goal chances was central to the city outfit claiming the inaugural Barry Burke Cup in the NUIG Connacht Colleges senior ‘C’ final at Tuam Stadium last Friday.

Two goals in the first half from lively Moycullen corner forward Joe Lydon and another brace from Castlegar’s Patrick O’Boyle in the second period sealed the deal, although St. Enda’s always looked the likely winners having gone in 2-8 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.

As for Coláiste Mhuire, they were rocked by the unavailability of full-back Warren Boyle before throw-in and with such a small panel of players to choose from, it was always going to be difficult for the Ballygar outfit to compensate.

That said, Brian McDonnell’s charges brought a great deal of honesty and effort to proceedings and, certainly, when they played the direct ball to their forwards in the early stages, they caused St. Enda’s quite a bit of trouble.

Unfortunately, having been banging in goals for fun earlier in the competition, they were unable to break down a St. Enda’s defence that was well marshalled by the likes of goalkeeper Darragh McDonagh and defenders Kevin Ruane, John Gately and Dean Connolly.

Consequently, by the end of the first quarter, St. Enda’s led 1-4 to 0-4, with Lydon sniping in for the opening major on eight minutes. Superb Coláiste Mhuire midfielder Colin O’Brien did reduce the arrears to two with a neat point for his side on 19 minutes but, sadly, that was as near as Ballygar would get.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.