GAELIC GAMES – DUBLIN JUNIOR ‘A’ HURLING FINAL
RULER FOR RIS: MCGOVERN
Full-forward in top form for Griffith Avenue school in decider
ARDSCOIL RIS……………………………. 1-15
COLAISTE EOIN…………………………… 0-16
Daire Walsh
LIAM McGovern produced an outstanding performance at O’Toole Park on Tuesday afternoon as Ardscoil Ris narrowly defeated Colaiste Eoin in the Dublin Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider.
The dynamic full-forward amassed an exceptional personal tally of 1-11, and despite the best efforts of Séamus Ó Fiachna and Seán Ó Cinnseallaigh during a tightly-contested second half, Eoin finished runners-up in this competition for a second year in succession.
Ardscoil were champions at the Junior ‘A’ grade as recently as 2014, and they opened up an early three-point cushion courtesy of scores from McGovern (two) and centre-forward David O’Sullivan. Eoin eventually settled with a brace of successful frees by attacker Eamon Mac Giobúin, before their Griffith Avenue counterparts (who include Waterford hurler Philip Mahony amongst their management team) reasserted their authority with a point apiece from wing-forwards Patrick McCaw and Rory Finn.
However, the determined Gaelscoil registered three points without reply through Ó Fiachna, Mac Giobúin and half-back Niall Ó Domhnaill to levelled matters in the 17th minute. Indeed, even though Ardscoil’s McGovern added 0-3 to his haul, the reliable Mac Giobúin was on target either side of a Dara Puirséil point on 27 minutes for Eoin.
However, after claiming a long delivery by midfielder Mark Sweeney from the subsequent attack, McGovern fired clinically beyond the reach of opposition netminder Ben hEidhin – and following swapped frees between McGovern and Giobúin, Ardscoil brought a 1-9 to 0-9 lead into the interval.
CONTENTION
Eoin were still in contention when the action resumed, though, and thanks to points from Ó Fiachna (who assumed free-taking duties from the absent Mac Giobúin) and industrious midfielder Donal Mac Duinnsléibhe, they reduced their deficit to a minimum on the stroke of 40 minutes.
Ardscoil opened their second period account with a pair of quick-fire McGovern frees, but after McGovern had cancelled out a free by Ó Fiachna, Eoin once again responded with three successive points – two from the influential Ó Cinnseallaigh and one from substitute Conall Ó Tuathaill. This meant the sides were now inseparable with seven minutes of normal time remaining, but it was a strong end to the game that ultimately helped Fiachra Colgan’s charges to secure the silverware on offer.
The excellent McGovern (two) and O’Sullivan raised white flags for their side, and although a goal-bound Iain Ó hEithir strike was deflected over in stoppage-time, Ardscoil Ris emerged triumphant.
Scorers – Ardscoil Ris: L McGovern 1-11 (0-9f, 0-1 ’65’), D O’Sullivan 0-2, R Finn, P McCaw 0-1 each. Colaiste Eoin: E Mac Giobúin 0-6 (5f, 1 ’65’), S Ó Fiachna 0-3 (2f), S Ó Cinnseallaigh 0-2, N Ó Domhnaill, I Ó hEithir, D Mac Duinnsléibhe, D Puirséil, C Ó Tuathaill.
ARDSCOIL RIS: S O’Leary; T Murray, A Gilroy, T O’Brien; M L’Estrange, C O’Brien, S O’Connor; M Sweeney, E Potter; R Finn, D O’Sullivan, P McCaw; S Hession, L McGovern, C Sheridan.
SUBS: C Boland for Murray (61).
COLAISTE EOIN: B Ó hEidhin; T Stakelum, S Ó Ceallaigh, C Mac Giolla Phádraig; N Ó Domhnaill, C Mac Daibhéid, I Ó hEithir; D Mac Duinnsléibhe, S Ó Cinnseallaigh; P Puirséil, P Ó Luinneacháin, S Ó Fiachna; D Puirséil, O Mac Gearailt, E Mac Giobúin.
SUBS: C Ó Tuathaill for Mac Gearailt (h-t), D Mac Giolla Bhríde for Mac Giobúin (35).
Referee: J Dunning (St Brigid’s).