GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN SCHS SHC ‘C1’ FINAL
Superb O Riain inspires Reachrann’s victory
Daire Walsh
GAELSCOIL Reachrann created history in Parnell’s GAA last Friday afternoon, when they secured the Dublin Schools’ Senior Hurling ‘C1’ Championship crown against St Paul’s College, Raheny.
The Donaghmede school secured the Dublin Senior Football ‘D’ title as recently as February (and subsequently reached the All-Ireland decider at that grade against St Joseph’s CC, Charlestown), and it was the first time in their history that they had won a senior title in either hurling or football at Schools GAA level.
A number of players from their football side also featured in this game, but it was their skipper Conor O Riain – a current Dublin minor star – who produced the game’s stand-out display.
He opened the scoring for Reachrann, but although Eanna Mac Domhnaill and Ross Mac Liam impressed in defence, they were facing into a narrow 0-5 to 0-4 deficit at the break.
However, Paul’s struggled to maintain their momentum upon the resumption, and following goals from Cian Mac Liam, O Riain and Cian O Storaí, Reachrann created an unassailable lead.
The magnificent O Riain finished with an exceptional individual tally of 1-12, as the Dublin 13 boys sealed a much-deserved 3-17 to 0-10 triumph.