By LEINSTER COLLegeS Sfc ‘A’ round-up, By Daire Walsh

Thursday January 24 2013

AN early second-half goal from Dublin minor hurler Oisín ó Ruairc proved to be the catalyst for Colaiste Eoin’s safe passage into the next round of the Leinster Colleges Senior Football ‘A’ Championship.

The Booterstown school had 11 points (1-16 to 0-8) to spare over an outclassed PATRICIAN NEWBRIDGE in Bray Emmet’s yesterday afternoon

O Ruairc was also joined in the Eoin starting line-up by his fellow inter-county team-mates Colm O Croinin and Conn O Ceallachain, and it was the latter who dominated the opening part of this contest, with his four-point haul giving the gaelscoil an excellent platform early on.

Netminder Seán O Braonain also ventured up the field to slot over two difficult ’45s’, but three unanswered scores for the south Kildare school from Peter Howard, Ben McCormack and Cian McConnell, meant that there was only three points between the sides (0-7 to 0-4) at the mid-way point.

This set things up nicely for the second period, but O Ruairc 33rd minute goal put significant daylight between the sides, and with centre-forward Cillian O Seanain contributing three points, and ó Braonain incredibly bringing his final tally up to 0-4, Colaiste Eoin eased over the line.

In Celbridge, Kevin Flynn and Craig Mooney chipped in with a brace of frees, but SALESIAN COLLEGE were unable to avoid defeat to ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE for a second consecutive year. A fourth minute Eoin Mac Cormaic goal had given the Westmeath boys a dream start to the proceedings, but tight defensive play ensured that Salesians only trailed by two points at the break (1-1 to 0-2).

This deficit was reduced even further when Flynn converted a free early in the second period, but this was as close as Salesians came to gaining revenge for last year’s loss, as Athlone CC’s strong finish helped them towards a 1-8 to 0-4 winning margin.

Though it was also set to be played yesterday, the meeting of Portmarnock Community School and reigning holders St Mary’s Edenderry will now be played tomorrow after the north Dublin side’s pitch was deemed unplayable.

– LEINSTER COLLegeS Sfc ‘A’ round-up, By Daire Walsh