Eanna kings of the capital
O’Shea’s hat-trick sinks Colmcille’s
DUBLIN SCHOOLS SH ‘A’ FINAL
COLAISTE EANNA………………………………….. 6-9
COLMCILLE’S CS…………………………………….. 1-12
By Daire Walsh
A SECOND-HALF hat-trick from full-forward Ciaran O’Shea proved decisive in Sancta Maria College yesterday afternoon, as Colaiste Eanna were crowned Dublin Schools Senior Hurling A Champions in emphatic style at the expense of near rivals, St Colmcille’s CS.
O’Shea had previously notched up an impressive 2-4 in Eanna’s quarter-final triumph over Ardscoil Ris and certainly looks like one to watch in the future.
TREACHEROUS
Colmcille’s, who hail from the Scholarstown Road in Knocklyon, were facing into a treacherous wind in the opening half, but they were performing admirably, as three points from wing-forward Paul Docherty (cancelling out Eanna efforts from Darragh O’Shea (two) and James Madden) had them on level terms with 11 minutes gone.
However, the first goal soon arrived courtesy of a penalty from centre-back Jamie Desmond, who finished brilliantly to the back of the Colmcille’s net after Eanna corner-forward Madden had been dragged down by Rian Cannon.
A brace of scores from Colmcille’s No. 14 Andy Mahon would cancel out points from Alan Flood and Darragh O’Shea, before another Docherty point brought the margin down to two.
Colmcille’s would suffer another set-back when Madden finished to the net from close-in after net minder David Mahon had parried Evan Flanagan’s initial shot, but the Knocklyon boys gave themselves a fighting chance heading into the second period, as a 27th-minute goal from Ross Cullen meant that they only trailed by three points (2-6 to 1-6) at the mid-way stage.
With the aid of a strong breeze for the final 30 minutes of play, there was every chance that Colmcille’s could force the tie in their favour.
ADAPTED
Eanna adapted well to playing against the wind, though, and Ciaran O’Shea produced his first goal of the afternoon in the opening minute after the re-start following good approach work by Madden.
Things would get even better for O’Shea and Eanna just seven minutes later when he finished from close-range for a second time after Mahon failed to deal with Chris Lambert’s effort on goal.
Colmcille’s midfielder Niall Keegan and Darragh O’Shea would go on to swap points, before the latter put the game beyond any doubt with a goal from all of 20 metres with 15 minutes remaining.
Colmcille’s did respond with three points on the trot from Docherty (two) and Ronan McGee, before Ciaran O’Shea got his third goal (and his side’s sixth) with a fine finish from an angle on the right with eight minutes left.
Colmcille’s did battle right until the end, and registered fine scores through Cannon and Conor Bolger, but it wasn’t enough to spoil the party for the Ballyroan school.
Scorers: Colaiste Eanna: C O’Shea 3-0, D O’Shea 1-6 (0-5f), J Madden 1-1, J Desmond (pen) 1-0, A Flood, C Lambert 0-1 each. Colmcille’s CS: P Docherty 0-6 (4f), R Cullen 1-0, A Mahon 0-2, N Keegan, R McGee, R Cannon, C Bolger 0-1 each.
COLAISTE EANNA: K Robinson; J McDonnell, E Giles, C O’Riordan; A McGrath, J Desmond, F Maguire; T McGrath, A Flood; J O’Driscoll, D O’Shea, C Lambert; J Madden, C O’Shea, E Flanagan. SUBS: C Basquel for Flanagan (46), E O’Toole for Lambert (53).
COLMCILLE’S CS: D Mahon; R Cannon, C McHugh, F Murray; D Maguire, C Bolger, D Bolger; C Bergin, N Keegan; K McCarron, R McGee, P Docherty; R Cullen, A Mahon, S McMahon.
REFEREE: Timmy McCarthy (St Vincent’s).