The big guns in this year's Leinster college's football championship aren't holding anything back in the early stages. Yesterday in Kilmacud, St Mel's of Longford ran ruthlessly through St Benildus, making a clear statement to the more demanding opponents who lie ahead.
Last year, St Mel's narrowly fell in the Leinster final to subsequent All-Ireland champions St Patrick's, Navan. In order to get another crack at them, however, they must first get past Good Counsel, who they now meet in the quarter-final.
Fears that the end of boarding at the school might weaken the Longford side were quickly shown to be exaggerated. Forwards Kevin Smith, Glen Kelly and Hugh Gibbons were soon scoring at will, well backed up by the tireless Stephen Lynch at centre back.
Smith scored two devastating goals inside the opening 15 minutes, and had totalled 2-4 before Kevin Kirrane finally opened the St Benildus scoring after 25 minutes. But Paddy Smith - younger brother of Kevin - and captain David Barden ensured that St Mel's kept the flow of points and it was no surprise that they led 2-11 to 0-1 at the break.
With the wind now in their backs, St Benildus managed a minor rally in the second half. Stephen Redmond and Declan O'Mahoney fired two quick points but when Tony Murphy finished his superb solo run with the ball in the net, the St Benildus heads finally dropped.
They then lost Gary Wilkins and Declan O'Mahony to straight red cards in the closing stages, and although Kevin Doolan had the last word, there was no disguising their disappointment.
ST MEL'S, LONGFORD: G Evans; D Davis, D McNeaney, S Doorigan; P Smith (0-1), S Lynch, D McRory (0-1); D Smith, T Murphy (1-1); H Gibbons (0-1), G Kelly (0-1), T Clendenning (0-1); P Melly, D Barden (0-1), K Smith (2-5). Subs: E Williams for Melly (48 mins); M Rafferty for Kelly (51 mins).
ST BENILDUS: H Lyons; S Hough, B Brennan, S Whyte; K Doolan (0-1), D Maher, S Kelly; D O'Mahony (0-2), C O'Brien (0-1); D Baker, K Kirrane (0-1), D Gillick; G Wilkins (0-1), S Redmond, R Byrne. Subs: F Hand for Byrne (42 mins)
Referee: D Peppard (Wicklow).
