GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER JF ‘A’ FINAL
HEARTBREAK FOR AIDAN’S
Saints denied title by defending champs
GOOD COUNSEL………………………………… 1-12
ST AIDAN’S CBS………………………………….. 1-6
Daire Walsh
IT was a classic game of two halves on Monday afternoon at Netwatch Cullen Park, where St Aidan’s CBS were denied a first Leinster Junior Football ‘A’ title in 34 years by a strong second-half surge from Good Counsel, New Ross.
The Whitehall outfit had reached the provincial stage following their impressive victory over St Benildus College in the Dublin decider, and with Keith Campbell and James Doran in fine form, they led 1-5 to 0-6 at the break.
However, the defending All-Ireland champions assumed control of the second-half proceedings, and in spite of their best endeavours, Aidan’s ultimately couldn’t contain their Slaneyside counterparts.
With the junior and senior county crowns currently residing in the Collins Avenue school, Aidan’s had entered this contest in a confident mood.
Sean Nolan was a reliable figure for Good Counsel during the early exchanges, but the triumvirate of Campbell, Doran and Enda O’Donnell was providing Aidan’s with a suitable attacking platform.
The sides were inseparable for much of the half, but when midfielder Brian Ashton scored the game’s opening goal, he ensured that Aidan’s held a slender advantage heading into the second period of play.
The northsiders had reason to be pleased with this two-point cushion, but Good Counsel discovered an extra gear after the restart. Nolan continued to pose a significant threat, as Aidan’s increasingly found themselves on the back-foot.
Nolan contributed 0-6 to his side’s overall tally, with Darragh Lyons also proving to be an influential presence of the Wexford boys.
The only Aidan’s score on the resumption was a Campbell free, and although Brendan Daly, Matt Moran and Tony McCaul were all outstanding throughout, Good Counsel had six points to spare against the youthful Metropolitans.