Sons of Nicky Byrne and former Dublin star put on a show for Malahide school in Croke Park

Niall McIntyre

St Oliver Plunkett’s NS Malahide 4-19 Scoil San Treasa Mount Merrion 0-5

What a team these lads are.

St Oliver Plunkett’s NS Malahide were absolutely unstoppable in the Sciath na nGearaltach final in Croke Park on Tuesday afternoon.

The highest praise you could possibly pay to the Malahide school is that they were up against a good side in their own right in Scoil San Treasa Mount Merrion, but they still made light work of them.

Diarmuid Eagney’s side got off to a blistering start with their magical midfielder Rory Guiden, their fleet-footed half forward Jack O’Flaherty and their clever centre back Hugh Smith all setting the tone.

The man in the middle Rory Guiden is the son of former Dublin midfielder Niall Guiden, one of Dublin’s most impressive forwards during the 90s. Rory is obviously a chip off the old block – the youngster has a deadly accurate right foot and is also a pinpoint passer of the ball.

But this whole Oliver Plunkett’s team dazzled on the hallowed turf. Smith mans the centre back position and so many attacking moves started with him. Up front, Jack O’Flaherty barely had a wide ball with his golden gun of a left foot doing plenty of damage while Rocco Byrne, the son of Westlife star Nicky also chipped in with a goal that required plenty of bravery and a finely taken point.

Nicky Byrne presents his son Rocco with a medal after he played a part in Oliver Plunkett's @CnmbDublin triumph pic.twitter.com/PmrF02fgNs

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 23, 2018

It was Oliver Plunkett’s day but the boys of Merrion can hold their heads high. Finn McDonnell was exceptional for them as was Tom Curtin and Jonathan Kilroy in defence.

Scorers:

St Oliver Plunkett’s NS Malahide:

Dylan O’Rourke (3-1), Jack O’Flaherty (0-6), Rory Guiden (0-6, 0-3f), Rocco Byrne (1-1), Sam Robinson (0-1), David McQuaid (0-1), Callum Smith (0-1), Finn Clyne (0-1), Hugh Smith (0-1)