ALL-IRELAND SCHOOL SF ‘D’ FINAL
Reachrann denied in Rice Cup decider
THERE was heartbreak for Gaelcholaiste Reachrann in Clonguish yesterday when they suffered a three-point defeat (1-13 to 2-7) to St Joseph’s CC, Charlestown in the Br Edmund Ignatius Rice Cup decider.
An All-Ireland semi-final triumph against Beara CC had helped the Donaghmede outfit to reach their ‘D’ grade showdown, but even though they held a slender 2-5 to 1-6 cushion at the midway point, the Keelan Horkan-inspired Mayo school secured the silverware with a resurgent second period showing.
Reachrann were certainly in high spirits heading into this clash, and even though Joseph’s opened the scoring with a point from Keelan Horkan, four scores in quick succession helped the gaelscoil to develop a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the eighth minute of play.
Skipper Jack Ó Rua (a Dublin minor panellist) was making his presence felt, but thanks a further contribution of 1-2 by Horkan, Joseph’s had moved back into the ascendancy.
Yet, the Reachrann attack were causing major problems for the opposition rearguard, and following goals by Antoin Mac Fhloinn and Piaras Táth, they were in the driving seat on the half-hour mark.
Indeed, they further enhanced their superiority with another point three minutes after the resumption, but for the remainder of the third quarter, it was Joseph’s who held the upperhand. Cian McCudden reduced the gap with a 39th-minute point, and courtesy of four points without reply from the outstanding Horkan, they were suddenly two points to the good (1-11 to 2-6) 15 minutes from time.
GAUNTLET
This threw down the gauntlet to Reachrann, and although Raheny’s Sean Mac Mathuna (another Dublin underage star) was denied by the woodwork, there was the bare minimum between the teams with five minutes remaining.
Joseph’s maintained their composure under pressure, however, and with Horkan and Conor Dunleavy adding late scores, Gaelcholaiste Reachrann came up just short in the Longford venue.
Compiled by Daire Walsh