King points the way for Aidan’s
DUBLIN SCHOOLS JHC ‘A’ SEMI-FINAL
ST AIDAN’S CBS…………………… 1-13
TEMPLEOGUE COLLEGE………… 0-8
By Daire Walsh
A SECOND-HALF goal by Dylan Curtis proved to be a tipping point at Tymon Park on Monday afternoon, as St Aidan’s CBS booked their place in the final with a hard-earned victory over Templeogue College.
The Whitehall school can now look forward to the upcoming decider against near rivals (and defending champions) Ardscoil Ris, who accounted for Colaiste Eanna in their last-four encounter.
Aidan’s had earned a semi-final spot following an extraordinary 9-14 to 7-17 extra-time triumph over St Benildus College, but with Donal Ryan and Darragh Gray performing superbly in the key defensive positions, their opponents were finding scores harder to come by on this occasion.
Templeogue had found themselves three points to the good following a bright start, but the north Dublin school soon settled into the contest, and with Gavin King (who was the goal-scoring hero during the school’s recent Senior ‘A’ Hurling success) registering a series of impressive scores, they held a 0-9 to 0-7 cushion during the interval.
Much like the opening period, however, it was the Templeville Road side who enjoyed the better start to the second half, as they were applying a massive amount of pressure on the Aidan’s rearguard during the third quarter.
MAGNIFICENT
Yet, the work-rate of Aidan’s was magnificent throughout the tie, and with the powerful central axis of King, Tony O’Sullivan and Michael Cullen dominating possession, they were able to make significant headway in attack.
King ended with a grand total of 0-8 to his name, but Michael Noonan and Eoin Sheridan also chipped in with 0-2 apiece, while the aforementioned Curtis’ goal 12 minutes from the end proved to be the catalyst for Aidan’s to ease their way over the line.