DUBLIN JHC ‘A’ FINAL
Quick-firing St Aidan’s trio clinch title with late goals
THREE quick-fire goals from Lee Gannon, Jordan Leonard and Michael Noonan made all the difference at Clanna Gael Fontenoy last Thursday afternoon, when St Aidan’s CBS recorded an outstanding 4-12 to 2-12 extra-time triumph over Colaiste Eoin in the Dublin Schools Junior ‘A’ Hurling decider.
Despite playing against a strong breeze during the early moments of the contest, Eoin created daylight with an eighth-minute goal by full-forward Fionn Ó Ceallaigh.
Subsequent points from Seamus Ó Fiachna (three) and Conor Cinnseallach (two) helped the gaelscoil to develop a 1-6 to 0-6 interval lead, and the 29th-minute dismissal of Aidan’s corner-back Brendan Daly also offered them a numerical advantage upon the resumption.
Further scores by Cinnseallach, Ó Fiachna and Tom Ó hEachtigheirn opened up a five-point cushion, but after a Leonard three-pointer provided Aidan’s with a lifeline, a well-timed Noonan brace ensured that parity was restored (1-9 apiece) by the hour mark.
Eoin still looked set to claim the spoils when a goal from substitute Dárach Mac Giolla Bhride was supplemented by points from Sean Ó Cinnseallaigh, Ó hEachtigheirn and Peadar Ó Coifigh-Byrne.
However, following game-changing scores from Gannon, Leonard and Noonan in the second-half of extra-time, two points from the influential Gannon sealed an extraordinary victory for the northside team.