STAR OF THE WEEK

Seán Ó Cuanaigh (Coláiste Eoin)

IT was another memorable occasion for Coláiste Eoin last Friday in Abbotstown, where the Booterstown school defended their Dublin Junior ‘A’ Football Championship title with an accomplished victory over Maynooth SS.

Courtesy of an early goal by Seán Ó Cuanaigh, the southsiders hit the ground running at the National Games Development Centre. The dynamic Ó Cuanaigh captained the team from full-forward and delivered an excellent all-round performance to keep Maynooth at bay.

GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER SENIOR ‘A’ HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL PREVIEW

Daunting decider for Booterstown boys against St Kieran’s

Daire Walsh

THEY have been remarkably successful at both codes in recent seasons and Coláiste Eoin are now on the verge of a historic triumph at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday.

Thanks to their gutsy semi-final win over Kilkenny CBS on February 10, the Gaelscoil have reached their maiden Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider (throw-in 12pm). Top-tier provincial victories have been few and far between for Dublin schools, with the county’s representative sides providing the greatest joy in recent seasons.

Dublin North claimed last year’s crown – preceding the 2001 and 2008 titles for the combined colleges. You have to go back to 1954 for the last time a school from the capital emerged with top honours – when O’Connell CBS had the measure of Mount St Joseph, Roscrea.

Eoin have developed a significant pedigree en route to this year’s final. They previously defeated CBS in the opening round and had 10 points (3-12 to 0-11) to spare over North in their subsequent meeting.

Yet, they remain outsiders against 55-time champions St Kieran’s College. Having relinquished their crown in 2018, the All-Ireland champions had too much fire power for Dublin North in the last-four.

They have two Leinster Senior ‘A’ Football Championships to their name, but a victory this weekend would undoubtedly eclipse those achievements for Coláiste Eoin.

GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER JUV ‘A’ HURLING LEAGUE

Mixed fortunes for Dublin sides in opening round

Daire Walsh

THERE were mixed fortunes for Dublin’s representative sides in the opening round of the Leinster Schools Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling League last week.

Whereas Dublin South recorded a magnificent 3-21 to 0-6 success against Kilkenny CBS on Thursday, Dublin North suffered a narrow away reversal to St Kieran’s College a day later (1-9 to 2-10).

With a significant wind at their backs, South led 1-13 to 0-2 during the interval of their visit to CBS.

In addition to Conor Brennan’s impressive 2-2 haul over the hour, Joey Dunne posted five points from midfield. Patrick Fitzgerald, Ross Mallarkey, Conor Cleary and Cian Manning also impressed, but the icing on the cake was provided by sub Stephen Pullen’s third goal for a clinical South outfit.

Their northside counterparts met holders Kieran’s in enemy territory and made then work for their eventual win. Con Rock and Tadhg Gorman picked off some fine scores in the first half, which also saw Castleknock’s Adam Kelly rattling the back of the Kieran’s net.

They were still five adrift at the midway point, and even though Sean Doyle, Gorman and Rock dramatically reduced their deficit, Kieran’s responded with a pivotal second goal. North kept battling until the bitter end, though, with powerful performances by Conor Dolan, Dylan Clarke and Joey Kinnane offering a great deal of encouragement.

GAELIC GAMES – DUBLIN U16 ‘A’ FC FINAL: COLAISTE EOIN 1-15 MAYNOOTH CC 0-12

EOIN MAKE THE GRADE

Defending champs keep hold of title despite seeing red

Daire Walsh

COLAISTE Eoin defended their Dublin Schools Junior ‘A’ Football Championship crown in style at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown last Friday afternoon.

Despite losing defensive lynchpin Rian Ó Maoileoin to a second yellow card on 25 minutes, the Booterstown outfit emerged with six points to spare over Maynooth Secondary School. They now progress to a Leinster ‘B’ semi-final against Knockbeg College on Tuesday.

EMPHATIC

Following an emphatic victory against St Aidan’s CBS in last year’s decider, the Gaelscoil were always the safe bet to retain the U16 title. They were put to the pin of their collar in last month’s semi-final with St Benildus College – eventually securing the slenderest of wins (2-10 to 2-9) at the end of a compelling encounter.

Maynooth were appearing in their very first Junior ‘A’ decider, having produced a committed display to deny Aidan’s at the penultimate stage.

Facing into a slight breeze during the opening period, Eoin enjoyed an ideal start to the contest.

Templeogue Synge Street’s Seán Ó Cuanaigh led the team at full-forward and he batted a long delivery to the Maynooth net. The subsequent dismissal of Ó Maoileoin was undoubtedly a set-back for Eoin, who included eight Ballinteer St John’s players in their squad.

Nonetheless, with Barra Ó Donnchú registering a brace of inspirational points, they brought a 1-4 to 0-5 advantage into the break. Although the elements weren’t in their favour, Maynooth’s counter-attacking style ensured they remained in the hunt.

The 36th-minute introduction of Jack Ó Rodaigh injected fresh life into the Eoin challenge, however. He won three frees in consecutive fashion, all of which resulted in points for centre-forward Luke Breathnach.

Mikey Mac Mahúna and Charlie Ó Maoilmheana also entered the fray as the half developed, making a strong contribution to their side’s increased dominance.

Maynooth attempted a spirited rally in the final quarter, only for Ó Cuanaigh and Ó Donnchú to thwart their advances. Seán Ó Drisceoil was a commanding presence at wing-back, while midfielder Oisín Ó Grádaigh chipped with a series of scores to keep his team in the driving seat.

Coláiste Eoin stuck diligently to their task throughout and ultimately sealed their fourth success at this grade in a comprehensive manner.