St Loman’s claimed a hugely encouraging 2-10 to 1-6 Leinster SFC quarter-final win over Rathnew at Aughrim on Sunday.
Luke Dempsey’s promising team were too good for their Wicklow opponents and will be keen to deliver a similarly industrious performance at the penultimate stage in the provincial championship.
In the closing minutes James Stafford and Jody Merrigan were sent off for Rathnew, but by then Loman’s had already landed the blows that really mattered.
Inspired by Paul Sharry, effective at centrefield, Loman’s were always in control with John Heslin prominent too, kicking the frees with trademark accuracy.
David Windsor’s early goal ensured Loman’s made a smashing start as they burst into a 1-4 to 0-0 advantage.
Even though James Stafford replied with a Rathnew major, the visitors were in the ascendancy with Sharry excellent.
When the interval rolled around Loman’s held a decent 1-6 to 1-1 lead as Rathnew were being put under severe pressure.
Nicky Mernagh’s point immediately after half-time gave Rathnew hope, but Loman’s weren’t going to be denied.
Adam Gaffney slammed the insurance goal for Loman’s, who now face a daunting task against highly rated Dublin champions Ballyboden St Enda’s at Cusack Park on November 22.
That promises to be a particularly interesting game, and Loman’s will be quietly confident about springing a surprise.
St Loman’s: J Daly; G Grehan, S Flynn, J O’Toole; G Glennon, P Dowdall, D Whelan; A Gaffney (1-0 ), P Sharry ( )-1 ); K Lynam (0-1 ), J Heslin (0-4, 4fs ), D Windsor (1-0 ); K Casey (0-1 ), K Reilly (0-2 ), S Dempsey (0-1 ). Subs: R O’Toole for Dowdall, C Reilly for Windsor, K Kilmurray for Dempsey.
Rathnew: P Dignam; P Merrigan, D Power, J Snell; W Kavanagh, R O’Brien (0-1 ), J Manley; A Merriman, J Stafford (1-0 ); E Glynn, L Glynn (0-1 ), T Smyth; N Mernagh (0-1 ), J Merrigan (0-3, 3fs ), S Byrne. Subs: G Merrigan for S Byrne, J Byrne for Smyth.
