Ardscoil Rís come agonisingly close in Leinster thriller

DAIRE WALSH

gaelic games: leinster sh ‘b’ final

THEY were agonisingly close to turning the game on its head during a dramatic finale, but Ardscoil Rís ultimately suffered a 2-17 to 2-14 defeat to Mountrath CS in the Leinster Schools’ SH ‘B’ decider in Newbridge on Tuesday afternoon.

In their first game since last October’s Dublin showpiece, Ardscoil remained in contention throughout the opening period thanks to some fine scores by the ever-reliable Colin Currie, Aidan Nickerson and Ben McHugh. A superb Conor Hiney goal offered Mountrath a 1-7 to 0-7 mid-way advantage, though, and following a second-half John Lennon three-pointer, the rampant Laois outfit held a ten-point lead (2-15 to 0-11) 14 minutes from time.

However, their Griffith Avenue counterparts forced their way back into the reckoning, courtesy of quick-fire goals from Colin Currie (penalty) and Franklin O’Sullivan, and with John Walsh also making an impact, they made Mountrath work for their provincial triumph.