GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN JUV H ‘B’ FINAL
Foley on form as Benildus come through final thriller with ‘Knock CC in extra-time
ST BENILDUS COLLEGE………………………………. 5-13
CASTLEKNOCK CC……………………………………… 5-11
Daire Walsh
AN IMPRESSIVE 1-10 haul from Ciaran Foley proved vital yesterday at O’Toole Park, where St Benildus College edged a ten-goal thriller in the Dublin Schools’ Juvenile Hurling ‘B’ decider against Castleknock CC.
Extra-time was required after the sides couldn’t be separated during the opening 60 minutes of play, but despite facing into the slender deficit (4-11 to 4-10) with ten minutes remaining in the contest, vital contributions from Foley and corner-forward Aaron O’Toole ultimately provided the Kilmacud school with a decisive edge.
Goals by Foley (long-range free) and full-forward Matthew Sargent had helped Benildus (who are coached by Kilkenny star Walter Walsh) to develop an early five-point cushion, and even though Castleknock restored parity with exceptional three-pointer of their own from David Bohan and James O’Connell, a brace of goals from midfielder Jonathan Quinlan meant that Benildus led by six points (4-1 to 2-1) at the midway stage. A determined Castleknock narrowed the gap to two points on 49 minutes thanks to three consecutive scores from Ronan McCann, before Foley’s fourth point of the half disrupted their momentum.
However, another McCann free was followed by a magnificent O’Connell goal on the hour mark, and this meant that two additional periods were needed in order to determine the outcome of this engrossing encounter. Darragh Warnock’s close-range goal for Castleknock ensured that Benildus were trailing by the bare minimum heading into the closing moments of the tie, but three successful frees from Foley (as well as a wonderful goal by Aaron O’Toole) offered a five point buffer to Benildus late on.
They did subsequently concede a fifth goal to Castleknock’s Cillian Fitzmaurice, but Benildus eventually emerged victorious on a scoreline of 5-13 to 5-11.