DUBLIN SCHOOLS’ JUVENILE FOOTBALL ‘B’ FINAL: COLAISTE EANNA 6-9 ST DECLAN’S CBS 5-11
Eanna edge Declan’s in thriller thanks to Mullarkey
Daire Walsh
A LATE goal from Kevin Mullarkey made all the difference at Abbotstown on Friday afternoon for Colaiste Eanna, who claimed the Dublin Juvenile Football ‘B’ title in dramatic circumstances against St Declan’s College.
Their Cabra opponents had held a slender advantage in the closing moments of an engrossing showpiece decider, but thanks to Mullarkey’s all-important three-pointer (giving him a final haul of 2-3), Eanna edged through on a scoreline of 6-9 to 5-11.
Goal had been pivotal for the Ballyroan school in their semi-final triumph over Malahide CS, and they raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead during the early exchanges in the National Sports Campus.
Yet, the Declan’s attack had been devastating in their penultimate round success against Terenure College, and with midfielder Liam Keating and Gerard Ryan leading the way, they created a two-point cushion in time for the break.
Eanna kept Declan’s on their toes in the second half with a 1-1 salvo from substitute Barry Maguire, and David Kane also amassed a hat-trick of goal for the southsiders. However, courtesy of a combined tally of 3-8 from the aforementioned Keating and Ryan, Declan’s were in the driving seat as the final whistle approached.
Eanna netminder Daniel Furlong brilliantly turned away a penalty, but when the the rebound was subsequently fired to the net, it looked like Declan’s were ready to secure the silverware. Yet, Eanna and Mullarkey never allowed their heads to drop, and following excellent build-up work by Hugh O’Sullivan and Kane, the Thomas Davis star (the only non-Ballyboden St Enda’s player in his side’s ranks) propelled Colaiste Eanna to a hard-earned win.