Extra-time heartache for Fintan’s as Eoin must face Mary’s away
GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER SCHOOLS SF ‘A’ 1ST RD
By Daire Walsh
THERE was heartbreak for St Fintan’s HS last Friday afternoon in Sutton, where they were on the receiving end of a six-point extra-time reversal (1-17 to 1-11) to a determined Patrician, Newbridge side in the opening round of the Leinster Schools SF ‘A’ Championship.
Three points from Conor Hartley gave the Kildare school a slender 0-4 to 0-3 lead at the midway stage in normal time, but courtesy of scores by Mark Fogarty and Kevin Doran, Fintan’s were in the ascendancy after the restart.
A clinical Jake O’Connor goal, as well as a point by Brian Howard, helped the Sutton boys to open up a four-point advantage, but successive points from Hartley, Cormac O’Mahoney, Mark Murray and Eoghan Lawless subsequently restored parity.
Howard found the target for Fintan’s four minutes into second-half stoppage-time, but there was enough time for Lawless to level matters from a pressurised free.
The sides remained inseparable during the opening period of additional play, but when a Lawless goal was supplemented by points from Mark Murray, Lawless and Hartley, Patrician ultimately secured their hard-earned triumph.
Meanwhile, defending champions Colaiste Eoin will face St Mary’s Edenderry in the next round after the Offaly outfit’s clash with Ardscoil Ris from the same day didn’t go ahead.