GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN SHC ‘A’
Superb Benildus remain in the race
ST Benildus College remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages of the Dublin SH ‘A’ Championship, after they recorded a comprehensive triumph, 7-21 to 0-8, over St Fintan’s HS on Tuesday afternoon, writes Daire Walsh.
The Kilmacud school’s forthcoming game against Ardscoil Ris will determine who progresses from a fiercely competitive five-team group, but following an earlier defeat to St Aidan’s CBS (in addition to a draw with Colaiste Eanna), their campaign is now back on track.
Playing on their home turf, Benildus enjoyed a dream start to the proceedings courtesy of goals from Cian Shelly and Callum Pearson inside the opening five minutes of the action.
Fintan’s centre-fielder Cillian Costello registered a brace of scores, before Tom Fox’s 1-4 salvo helped Benildus to develop a 3-6 to 0-2 advantage by the 13th minute of the contest.
After Fox’s midfield partner Eoin Foley added three points to the Benildus tally, Fiachra McLoughlin flicked a Cathal Kissane delivery to the Fintan’s net, and in spite of the best efforts from the excellent Costello, Fintan’s were facing into a 17-point deficit (4-11 to 0-6) at the start of the second period.
Although substitute Michael Ahern briefly lifted the scoring burden from Costello after the restart, Fox and David Keogh added Benildus three-pointers in the 36th and 38th minutes respectively. It was a damage limitation exercise for Fintan’s during the closing moments, but even though Costello finished with 0-7 to his name, Foley’s 44th-minute goal guided Benildus towards a 7-21 to 0-8 success.