Currie too hot to handle
ARDSCOIL RíS 4-16 COLAISTE EOIN 1-7
AIRE WALSH – 08 MAY 2014 03:30 PM
HAT-TRICK hero Seán Currie was the star of the show at Parnell Park yesterday afternoon, as Ardscoil Rís secured the Dublin Schools’ Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling title with a comprehensive victory over Coláiste Eoin.
Just four points separated the sides at the midway point (2-4 to 0-6), but with the gaelscoil struggling to utilise a strong wind advantage during the opening half, an outstanding display after the restart helped Ardscoil to ease their way over the line.
The Griffith Avenue school had made a bright start with an opening minute point from corner-forward, but Eoin responded swiftly with a brace of scores from imposing midfielder Tomás ó hEachthigheirn.
The central axis of Niall Brennan and Currie (free) subsequently found the target for Rís in the eighth and 12th minutes, and although the reliable ó hEachthigheirn added a second placed ball effort to his tally 24 minutes in, Ardscoil issued a brace of hammer blows to their opponents’ chances in the closing moments of the half.
Four minutes from the break, Currie ran on to a loose ball and fired clinically past the stranded Eamon ó Giobúin for his opening major, and just two minutes later his attempt at a point from distance was flicked to the net by half-forward Kevin Doyle.
These were major sucker punches for Eoin so close to the interval, and even though points from full-forward Fionn ó Ceallaigh (two) and Conor ó Cinseallach softened the blow, they had a major task on their hands as play resumed.
A fourth ó hEachthigheirn point initially kept the Booterstown boys in contention, but a purple patch for Ardscoil between the 33rd and 44th minutes put the outcome beyond any doubt.
Impressive
The victors amassed an impressive 1-7 without reply during this juncture, including another emphatic three-pointer from the excellent Currie.
Two points apiece from half-forward duo Niall Brennan and Seán Brennan also ensured that their opponents were constantly on the back-foot in this lop-sided third-quarter, but to Eoin’s credit, they persevered with their challenge.
A low strike into the bottom left-hand corner by centre-back Jack ó Tuama 11 minutes from time offered fresh hope to the southsiders, but a 1-2 salvo from Currie quickly relinquished the prospect of a dramatic late fightback.
A straight red card issued to Phelim Kenny deep into stoppage-time was the only low point in the latter stages for Ardscoil, but with Currie adding three late frees (which brought his personal haul up to 3-7), the silverware was sealed in style.
Scorers – Ardscoil Rís: S Currie 3-7 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65’); K Doyle 1-0; N Brennan, S Brennan, J Mulcahy 0-3 each. Coláiste Eoin: T ó hEachthigheirn 0-4 (3f); J ó Tuama 1-0; F ó Ceallaigh 0-2 (1f); C ó Cinseallach 0-1.
ARDSCOIL RíS: S Tancred; D Rooney, A Gilroy, S Lambe; J Collins, M Murphy, P Kenny; M Sweeney, R O’Sullivan; K Doyle, N Brennan, S Brennan; T Keogh, S Currie, J Mulcahy. Subs: C Fogarty for Doyle (45), P Giles for Collins (48), S O’Connor for Keogh (51), H Brady for S Brennan (58).
COLáISTE EOIN: E ó Giobúin; F Potts, T Stakelum, C Mac Giolla Pádraig; D ó Dúgáin, J ó Tuama, M ó Glacáin; S ó Cinnseallaigh, T ó hEachthigheirn; D Mac Giolla Bhríde, D ó Floinn, C ó Cinseallach; R ó Seanáin, F ó Ceallaigh, T ó Néill. Subs: P ó Puirséil for ó Néill (h-t), D ó Ronáin for ó Seanáin (45).
Referee: B Doran.