Rathcoole Glory
DIVINE WORD NS, Marley Grange enjoyed a splendid double success as the Cumann na mBunscol primary schools football finals continued at Croke Park last Friday reports Daire Walsh.
First up for the Rathfarnham outfit was the Corn Comhar Linn girls decider against St Marnock’s NS, Portmarnock. Ava Brogan and Evie Goodson flew the flag for their northside counterparts, contributing a combined tally of 1-3.
Nonetheless, Divine Word largely controlled the tempo of the play with dead-ball specialist Sophie Cullen on hand to kick six excellent points. Lily Burke O’Connor, Maisie Keane (two each) and Becky Isaac also raised white flags to keep them ticking over and with Mary O’Donoghue recording a well-worked goal, Divine Word pushed on to secure a 1-11 to 1-4 triumph.
Their male compatriots endured a difficult start to their Corn Chlanna Gael showpiece encounter with Scoil Chrónáin as Lorcán Ó Cróinín struck an opening minute goal for their Rathcoole opponents.
However, Divine Word subsequently recovered and gradually worked their way into the contest. Complimenting 1-2 from Andy McDonnell, Daniel White registered three points to help them towards a 1-8 to 1-4 buffer at the break.
Divine Word were playing with extreme confidence and increased the gap after the restart when White grabbed a point and a goal either side of an Aaron Carry single.
Adam Ó Ceallaigh contributed fourth scores for the Rathcoole side but, following a stunning goal from Carry in the 36th-minute, Michael Gannon and McDonnell pointed to ease Divine Word towards a 3-12 to 1-5 win.
Gaelscoil Inse Chór were also emphatic winners in the Corn Mhic Chaoilte final, getting the better of Gaelscoil Míde, Cill Bharróg on a scoreline of 4-11 to 1-5.
Inside forward Keela Davico Ní Dhonnabháin broke the deadlock for the South Circular Road brigade with a third-minute goal, in advance of Lucy Nic Thomáis, Isabella Ní Bhrasail and Eva de Paor also finding the net to propel Inse Chór into an insurmountable 4-5 to 0-1 interval advantage.
Gaelscoil Míde did enjoy a resurgence towards the end of the play, but with no fewer than eight players getting their name on the scoresheet, Inse Chór were full value for their triumph.
Meanwhile, it was a day to remember for Holy Family NS, Rathcoole as they recorded a 2-3 to 1-4 success over Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Leamhcán in the Corn Neasain girls final.
Although Siobhan Ní Riain (1-2) and Ana Nic Thomáis Valero led the way in the scoring charts for Naomh Padraig, 1-1 apiece from Ali McCusker and Mia Saunders – as well as a Mia Mearns point – were enough for Holy Family to edge a close-run affair.