EOIN CAPTURE QUINLAN CUP IN GOAL FEAST
St Aidan’s unable to cap wonder year with another success as Booterstown boys withstand incredible second-half comeback
GAELIC GAMES: TOM QUINLAN CUP FINAL
COLAISTE EOIN……………………………………… 7-12
ST AIDAN’S CBS…………………………………….. 6-06
By Daire Walsh
THEY had to withstand a spirited second half fightback from St Aidan’s CBS, but Colaiste Eoin eventually dug deep to secure the Tom Quinlan Cup at O’Toole Park last Thursday afternoon.
Despite trailing by 11 points at the mid-way stage (3-9 to 2-1), the Collins Avenue school responded superbly in a goal-laden second half with a hat-trick from Latvian midfielder Sergei Runin.
But late green flags for Eoin by Darach Mac Giolla Bhride and Ruairi Mac Meanman eventually sealed the result.
Full-forward Malcolm Ajai’s superb ninth-minute goal arrived after Eoin had opened the scoring with points from Conchur O Cathain and all-action midfielder Sean O Cinseallaigh, before an astonishing 15 minute scoring blitz for the Booterstown boys left Aidan’s in a perilous position towards the end of the half.
Early substitute Dara Mac Adaim levelled matters with his first touch of the game, and in addition to eye-catching points from Padraig Puirseil (two), Mac Meanman (two) and O Cathain, a brace of Tomas O hEachthigheirn goals in the 12th and 23rd minutes significantly widen the gap. Jamie Byrne’s goal offered Aidan’s a much-needed boost, but thanks to a third Eoin strike courtesy of the ever-dangerous O Cathain, their chances of success seemed decidedly slim as the action resumed.
The interval did provide Aidan’s with an opportunity to readjust their approach, however, and with a brace of pointed Eoin O’Flaherty frees being followed by Runin’s first goal, they suddenly had a glimmer of hope.
O’Flaherty added another 0-2 salvo to this impressive scoring blitz, and even though Eoin cancelled out these efforts through O hEachthigheirn and corner-forward Tomas O Neill, Runin once again bested Ben O hEidhin from a one-on-one situation.
A 47th-minute Byrne free helped to reduce the Aidan’s deficit to two (3-11 to 4-6), but just when all the momentum seemed to be with the northsiders, Eoin reinforced their position with another set of goals by Mac Adaim and Mac Giolla Bhride.
This should have been the catalyst for the south Dubliners to finally see off the Aidan’s challenge, but their dogged opponents refused to lie down, and further stunning finishes from the outstanding double act of Ajai and Runin left the tie in the melting pot once more.
Try as they might, though, they couldn’t provide any further resistance to Eoin, who were offered plenty of breathing space via the late contributions from Mac Giolla Bhride and Mac Meanman.
Scorers – Colaiste Eoin: T O hEachthigheirn 2-2, D Mac Giolla Bhride 2-0, C O Cathain (1-0 pen, 0-1f), R Mac Meanman 1-2 each, D Mac Adaim 1-1, S O Cinseallaigh, P Puirseil 0-2 each, T O Neill 0-1. St Aidan’s CBS: S Runin 3-0, M Ajai 2-0, J Byrne 1-2 (0-2f), E O’Flaherty 0-4 (3f).
COLAISTE EOIN: B O hEidhin; T Stakelum, T O Faogain, C Mac Giolla Phadraig; N Moynihan-O Bradaigh, R O Seanain, D O Ciardha; T O hEachthigheirn, S O Cinnseallaigh; D Mac Giolla Bhride, P Puirseil, D O Ronain; C O Cathain, R Mac Meanman, T O Neill. Subs: D Mac Adaim for O Ronain (9), E O Ceallachain for Puirseil (53).
ST AIDAN’S CBS: D Szowtowski; K O’Sullivan, A McNally, E Hill; S Lowry, M Swan, K Hannon; P Maloney, S Runin; J Byrne, K Doran, S O’Leary; E O’Flaherty, M Ajai, L Brabazon. Subs: K Hardiman for Hannon (30), G Sheridan for Brabazon (36).
Referee: John Dunny.