Chanel class wins the day
Dynamic midfielder Davis drives Coolock school to deserved victory
Daire Walsh
AN EXCEPTIONAL performance from midfielder Thomas Davis was the highlight at the DCU Sportsgrounds last Friday afternoon, when Chanel College secured the Dublin Post-Primary Schools Junior Football ‘C’ title at the expense of St Paul’s College.
Davis was ably-assisted on the day by his midfield
partner Mark Heron, who opened the scoring against the Raheny outfit with a fine third-minute point. However, Davis kick-started his own individual tally with an expertly-converted free moments later, and following an edgy period of play from both sides, he found the back of Josh Rooney’s net with a deflected effort on the stroke of 15 minutes.
After the dynamic Craig Lynch added a brace of points, the towering Heron increased Chanel’s advantage to all of ten points by palming home a ’45’.
Paul’s had struggled to make an impact in attack, but thanks to a 25th minute goal by full-forward Keith Cooling, as well as points from John Catubig and Shane Leahy, they had reduced their deficit to five (2-4 to 1-2) by the start of the second period.
Yet, Paul’s couldn’t maintain the momentum they had developed prior to the interval, and six minutes after the restart, their Coolock opponents had firmly reinforced their superiority. Points from Stephen Pyne and Davis were warning signs for the Paul’s rearguard, and when Davis carved through for an outstanding individual goal in the 36th minute, Chanel had restored their double-figures cushion.
Surprisingly, it would be another 21 minutes before Chanel added to their account, but Jack Kelly and Karl Fox points were all that Paul’s could muster during this barren spell from their counterparts. Lively Paul’s forward Ross Coyle did get his name on the scoresheet before the end, but earlier scores from the influential duo of Davis and Heron were enough to ease the impressive Chanel Collegetowards victory.
Scorers – Chanel College: T Davis 2-3 (0-1f), M Heron 1-2, C Lynch 0-2 (1f), S Pyne 0-1. St Paul’s College: K Cooling 1-0, S Leahy (f), J Catubig, J Kelly, K Fox, R Coyle 0-1 each.
CHANEL COLLEGE: L Croghan; R O’Connor, C McKiernan, C McLoughlin; C Nolan, K Power, A Handbridge; M Heron, T Davis; G Dunne, C Lynch, S Pyne; D Moore, C Byrne, S Murphy. Subs: S Trimble for Moore, J Keegan for Murphy (both 40), A McDonnell for Pyne (58).
ST PAUL’S COLLEGE: J Rooney; G Jackson, S Botnaru, S Farrelly; D Green, S O Seadgha, K Fox; J Kelly, C Stafford; K Byrne, R Coyle, J Geary; J Catubig, K Cooling, S Leahy. Subs: L Magner for Catubig (59), Catubig for Geary (60).
Referee: D Deasy (Ballymun Kickhams).