McMonagle hits hat trick as impressive Eden' march on

St Mary's, Edenderry advanced to the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' decider in impressive fashion when they dethroned holders Dundalk Colleges in last Saturday's semi-final at Páirc Tailteann. Corner-forward Cian McMonagle scored a hat-trick for an Edenderry side who possessed too much class and scoring power for a porous Dundalk defence. The Dundalk Colleges forward line did carry a threat when they got possession, but they were starved of the ball for long spells. St Mary's will now meet Coláiste Eoin in the final after the Dublin side defeated Moate Community School 2-9 to 0-14 in the other semi-final, which preceded the Edenderry game in last Saturday's double header at Navan. Edenderry were on top in the first half but some wasteful finishing meant their superiority was not reflected on the scoreboard. Indeed, at half-time, the sides were level (1-4 to 0-7), with Cian McMonagle netting the first of his three goals on 28 minutes. Edenderry had a number of goal chances prior to that, but McMonagle eventually showed the way. Dundalk forwards Ciaran Byrne, Ben McLaughlin and Robert Carr had kept their side in touch with some well-taken scores, but Edenderry soon began to dominate the midfield sector. The Offaly side had eight wides in the first half, though they certainly found their scoring radar in the second period. The floodgates really opened in the second half with Edenderry scoring 2-11, and Dundalk only able to muster four points in reply. When McMonagle struck for his second goal shortly after the resumption, there was an inevitability about the outcome and Edenderry went on to avenge last year's defeat to the same opposition. With the likes of Ruairi McNamee (Rhode), Ger Leech, Sean Doyle and Mark Nolan in impressive form, it was mainly one-way traffic in the second half. McMonagle completed his hat-trick with seven minutes left and the winners gave five substitutes short run-outs just before the final whistle. The Leinster Colleges SF 'A' final between St Mary's Edenderry and Coláiste Eoin has been scheduled for Saturday, March 10 (throw-in time to be confirmed). St Mary's won the Leinster title in 2009 and they look well equipped to claim another crown this year. Scorers - St Mary's, Edenderry: C McMonagle 3-1, G Leech 0-6 (2f), S Doyle 0-3, C McNamee 0-2, R McNamee, S Moriarty, M Nolan 0-1 each. Dundalk Colleges: 1-11, C Byrne 0-7 (5f), B McLaughlin 0-2, R Carr, R Quigley 0-1 each.