Breffni connections helps DIT to title

There was a strong Cavan connection as Dublin IT were crowed the Higher Education Division One League champions on Thursday last when they overcame St. Mary's, Belfast on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-15 after extra-time. In an entertaining game played out on a cold winter's night in Mayobridge Co. Down the Dublin college had strong Cavan representation who all played a vital part in a stirring fightback from DIT. Trailing by five points at one stage in the second half, DIT looked like they would be heading back down the M1 motorway empty handed and bitterly disappointed with their display against an extremely well organised St. Mary's outfit under the guidance of renowned trainer Paddy Tally, who enjoyed success as a trainer under Mickey Harte in Tyrone. However the Killygarry duo of Martin Reilly and Ross Sheridan, who started at wing-forward and wing-back respectively, stepped up to the plate to kick vital scores for their team over the course of the hour with Reilly in particular catching the eye with a sublime left-footed effort under pressure out on the right wing. St Mary's who had been reduced to 14 men midway through the second half were under severe pressure late on and DIT heavily dominated proceedings through the midfield pairing of Mayo's Aidan O'Shea and Mountnugent and Cavan star David Givney. A goal approaching injury-time was enough to force the game into extra-time and Martin Reilly and Givney both chipped in with points, the latter of the two notching the all important winner in the closing stages, as DIT emerged as league champions for the second time in three years. Shercock's Brian Sankey, Castlerahan's Stephen Cooney and Lavey's Conor Martin were unused substitutes on the night, while Bailieborough Shamrocks Alan O'Mara is a selector with the team.