GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER AND DUBLIN ROUND-UP
Goalfest seals Donabate’s semi win
Daire Walsh
FOLLOWING their 6-7 to 4-11 semi-final victory over Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass in Ballymun Kickhams GAA on Tuesday, Donabate CC will contest this year’s Leinster Schools’ Junior Football ‘D’ decider.
Donabate progressed to the provincial stage as a result of their comprehensive triumph against HFCS Rathcoole in the Dublin Schools’ final last month, but at the midway point of their penultimate round encounter with Baltinglass, they were facing into a 1-4 to 3-5 deficit.
Adam Dunne had converted a penalty during the opening period, and he added a second goal after the restart – as Donabate forced their way into the reckoning. Indeed, a brace of three-pointers from Stephen Dempsey, in addition to a goal apiece by Darren Maher and Niall Maddy, helped Donabate (who are coached by Carlow star Daniel St Ledger) to claim a magnificent four-point win.
Meanwhile, holders Colaiste Eoin will face St Benildus in the Dublin Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling final, thanks to their respective successes over Colaiste Eanna and Ardscoil Ris in the competition’s semi-finals.