GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN SHC ‘A’
Ardscoil Ris on target for superb three titles in-a-row
Daire Walsh
ARDSCOIL Ris will continue their quest for a third consecutive Dublin Schools’ Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship title, after a final-quarter goal-blitz helped them to secure a victory over St Aidan’s CBS at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn on Tuesday.
Fresh from their quarter-final success against St Benildus College, Aidan’s had started this last-four contest in a positive fashion – with centre-forward Enda O’Donnell leading by example.
He was helped out in the scoring stakes during the opening period by the impressive Michael Noonan, and thanks to a well-taken goal from Eoin Sheridan, they were threatening to create serious daylight between themselves and the defending champions.
However, 2016 Dublin minor Sean Currie was proving to be a reliable source of scores for Ardscoil – who only trailed by the bare minimum (1-6 to 0-8) at the midway stage.
Tom O’Flaherty and Eoin O’Neill were also on target for the Griffith Avenue school after the restart, but with O’Donnell and Noonan maintain their influence on the proceedings, Aidan’s were still three points to the good heading into the closing stages of the play.
Ardscoil’s persistence eventually paid off in the home of St Vincent’s GAA, though, and courtesy of goals from John Walsh, Currie and Mark Sweeney, they finished with 11 points to spare (3-17 to 1-12).
Considering how well Aidan’s performed for the majority of the game, this scoreline did flatter Ardscoil slightly, but they will now be aiming to retain their crown in the forthcoming showpiece against Colaiste Eoin.