Full-forward Kelleher the key as Ballyroan boys edge out Fintan’s
DAIRE WALSH
FULL-FORWARD Adam Kelleher came to Coláiste éanna’s aid on Tuesday afternoon, when his late three-point salvo helped the Ballyroan side to progress to the Dublin Schools’ Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ decider at the expense of St Fintan’s HS.
Playing on their home pitch for a second consecutive week, Eanna developed an early six-point lead (1-5 to 0-2) with well-worked points from Kelleher (two), Dillon Dunleavy, Malachy Codd and Jacques Dalton, as well as a superb Enda Cashman goal.
A determined Fintan’s responded emphatically with a goal of their own through the rampaging Liam Dunne, but even though inside forward John Sammon added histhird point of the contest, contributions from Dalton (two) and Cian Corcoran ensured the hosts a 1-8 to 1-3 interval advantage.
Swapped three-pointers arrived from Fintan’s corner-forward Seán Doyle and Kelleher upon the resumption, before unanswered points from Dunne (two), Eoin Forbes and Sammon reduced the Fintan’s deficit to a minimum.
A second Codd score helped éanna to settle again, but their opponents moved into the ascendancy courtesy of Adam Coulter’s terrific 39th-minute goal.
The Sutton outfit remained in an excellent position when Kelleher’s 40th-minute equaliser was cancelled out by Sammon, but thanks to three successful frees from the influential Kelleher in the space of four minutes, Coláiste éanna held out for a hard-earned triumph.
Scorers – Colaiste Eanna: A Kelleher 1-6 (0-4f), E Cashman 1-0, J Dalton 0-3 (3f), M Codd 0-2, D Dunleavy, C Corcoran 0-1 each. St Fintan’s HS: J Sammon 0-5 (4f), L Dunne 1-2 (0-1f), S Doyle, A Coulter 1-0 each, E Forbes 0-1.
Colaiste Eanna: M Nolan; J McDonald, J Lambert, J Maguire; W McDonald, J Dalton, C Wall; E Cashman, D Dunleavy; S Lambert, C Corcoran, E Bradley; M Codd, A Kelleher, C O’Toole. Sub: T O’Halloran for O’Toole (42).
St Fintan’s HS: C Ryan; N O’Halloran, M Harte, E Harte; B Smith, E Forbes, N Hannon; E Kelly, K Byrne; C Hickey, L Dunne, E O’Dowd; S Doyle, J Sammon, A Coulter. Sub: E Bridgman for Smith (ht).
REF: E Roche (Faughs).