Lethal Leonard lets loose to seal silverware for Aidan’s
Daire Walsh – 16 May 2013 02:15 PM
ST AIDAN’S 5-13, ST FINTAN’S HIGH SCHOOL 3-5 – JORDAN LEONARD’S mid-game switch from half-forward to full-forward proved to be the difference between the two teams at Parnell’s on Monday afternoon, as his four second-half goals capped a wonderful comeback by St Aidan’s in a thrilling Tom Quinlan Cup final.
This is the Collins Avenue school’s first success in this competition since 2002 (when current Ballymun Kickhams star Ted Furman was captain), but they didn’t have it all their way in this contest, as Fintan’s enjoyed a seven-point cushion (3-5 to 1-4) during the interval having made their slight wind advantage count to telling effect.
Aidan’s goal in the first half arrived courtesy of James Doran, and it proved to be an important score come the end of the game, as it enabled them to keep within touching distance of the Sutton boys as the action re-commenced.
Masterstroke
The move of Leonard to the edge of the square was a real masterstroke as well, and though they also had excellent displays from the likes of Captain Keith Campbell, Adam Keogh, Enda O’Donnell and Andrew McCaul, it was the lethal finishing of their star forward that ultimately swung the game in their direction.
Fintan’s did contribute to their own downfall by failing to add to the scoreboard in the second half, but with Leonard finishing with a grand total of 4-1 to his name, it was always going to be difficult to put the shackles on an always threatening Aidan’s forward division.