Contrasting fortunes for Aidan’s and Eoin

BY DAIRE WALSH

THERE was contrasting fortunes for St Aidan’s CBS and defending champions Coláiste Eoin in the opening round of the Leinster Schools SF ‘A’ Championship last Friday.

Matters were looking decidedly ominous for Aidan’s when they trailed St Peter’s College in Fenagh at half-time by nine points (0-10 to 0-1), but with the wind at their disposal in the second period, they moved into the ascendancy with goals from John Connell and Cathal Doran.

Jack Pettitt’s injury-time free for Peter’s did force an additional period of 20 minutes, but thanks to a 0-3 haul from substitute Adam Conway, the 2014 Leinster ‘B’ winners progressed to a quarter-final date with St Mel’s Longford on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-14.

Coláiste Eoin’s encounter with St Mary’s in Edenderry also produced extra-time, but the gaelscoil ultimately succumbed to a heartbreaking 1-12 to 2-8 defeat.

Mary’s opened up a 1-3 to 0-3 cushion heading into the second half, but courtesy of goals by Pol Mac Comascai and Dara ó Tuama, Eoin restored parity by the end of normal time. In the tight additional exchanges, the possibility of a replay loomed large, only for Cian Farrell’s long-distance free to swing the outcome in the favour of the 2012 All-Ireland champions.