GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER JUNIOR ‘B’ HC
Gallant Griffith Avenue school fall just short against Mary’s
RIS RISE HIGH BUT COME UP SHORT
Daire Walsh
THEY produced a gallant effort in Fenagh, Co Carlow on Friday morning, but Ardscoil Ris were ultimately defeated by St Mary’s CBS of Enniscorthy in the semi-final of the Leinster Schools’ Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship.
Ardscoil had booked their place in the provincial championship as a result of their 1-15 to 0-16 Dublin Junior ‘A’ success over Colaiste Eoin on October 18 and with Mark Sweeney and Andrew Gilroy fresh from their exploits with the school’s senior side in their own county competition (against St Aidan’s CBS) just three days earlier, they entered this contest in fine spirits.
However, Mary’s had also displayed impressive form on their way to this stage, having secured the South Leinster Schools’ Junior ‘B’ Hurling title at the expense of Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown just over a fortnight ago.
The Griffith Avenue school had previously reached the final of this competition in January 2013, but with a strong wind against them in the Carlow Centre of Excellence, they found it difficult to create clear-cut opportunities in the opening period.
Gilroy and netminder Shane O’Leary were leading by example for the north Dublin outfit, but when the half-time whistle sounded, they were staring into a five-point deficit (0-8 to 0-3). This left Ardscoil with an uphill task, but to their credit, they cause plenty of problems for Mary’s upon the resumption. Indeed, thanks to fine scores by Sweeney, Rory Finn and the influential David O’Sullivan, they were well in contention as the half developed.
COUNTERPARTS
However, their Slaneyside counterparts were able to find the target at vital moments in the contest, and eventually emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-6.
Although there was obvious disappointment in defeat, Ardscoil can still look back with pride on their magnificent junior triumph, and there is still an opportunity for further silverware, when the school’s senior side (who are seeking a third consecutive final victory) take on Colaiste Eoin in an upcoming ‘A’ decider.