Eoin rock Ris early for glory
O Dubhgaill on double in decider
COLAISTE EOIN………………………………….. 3-9
ARDSCOIL RIS…………………………………….. 0-3
By Daire Walsh
A STRONG finish to the first-half proved decisive for Colaiste Eoin at Alfie Byrne Park yesterday afternoon, as the Booterstown school recorded a most impressive victory over Ardscoil Ris in the Dublin Schools Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ decider.
It had been a relatively even contest during the opening third, but a superb 29th-minute major from centre-forward Fergal De Fuitligh proved to be the catalyst for Eoin to push on for a well-deserved triumph.
Due to a number of different factors (including persistent rainfall), the game was switched from Parnell Park to the Clontarf all-weather pitch, which was certainly of benefit to both sets of players.
Once the game got underway, however, it was Ris who drew first blood courtesy of a 25-metre free from full-forward Conor Burke two minutes in, though Eoin would quickly cancel this score out with a fine point from play by Padraig O hEithir.
Ris would regain the lead after seven minutes with another free from Burke, but they were being let off the hook slightly, as Eoin were unable to find the target from a number of promising attacks inside the Ardscoil ’45’.
They eventually got it right with a fine individual score from towering No. 14 Padraig O Dubhgaill on 13 minutes, but Ris hit back once more six minutes later through a free on the right-hand side by Tom O’Flaherty.
PUSHED
However, this would be followed by a third leveller from O Dubhgaill moments afterwards, and Eoin really pushed for the remainder of the half, as points from half-back Stiofan O Duibhir, De Fuitligh and the impressive O Dubhgaill were added to by an excellent goal by De Fuitligh from a tight angle on the right just shy of the half-hour mark.
This gave them a 1-6 to 0-3 lead heading into the second period, and put them in a terrific position to push on towards the finishing line.
The Griffith Avenue school did make a bright start upon the resumption, but they were unable to turn their possession into scores and Eoin would increase their lead on 36 minutes with another fine effort from O hEithir.
As the tie moved into the final 20 minutes of action, things did become rather scrappy, which didn’t suit a Northside side that were in need of scores to force their way back into the contest.
Yet, it always seemed more likely that Eoin would be the next to add to the scoreboard, and even though O Dubhgaill narrowly missed a goal chance on 46 minutes, a brace of frees from Seamus Mac Giobuin helped to increase Eoin’s lead to nine inside the final ten minutes of play.
This gave Eoin an insurmountable advantage over their north Dublin rivals, and two late goals from the imposing O Dubhgaill (the second an outstanding double on the ball in the air) meant that they eased over the line in the end.
Scorers – Colaiste Eoin: P O Dubhgaill 2-3 (0-1f), F De Fuitligh 1-1, P O hEithir, S Mac Giobuin (2f) 0-2 each, S O Duibhir 0-1 each. Ardscoil Ris: C Burke 0-2 (2f), T O’Flaherty 0-1 (f).
COLAISTE EOIN: D De Poire; D O Loinsigh, F O Drisceoil, D Maas; A Campion, J Lahart, S O Duibhir; M O Croinin, B O Brudair; P O hEithir, F De Fuitligh, N O Ceallachain; S Mac Giobuin, P O Dubhgaill, M De Roiste. Subs: C O Ceallaigh for Campion (36), C O Floinn for O hEithir (58).
ARDSCOIL RIS: S Collins; E O’Sullivan, C Cummins, C Kelly; J Higgins, M O’Keefe, R Maher; B Davis, C Ryan; L Murphy, C Currie, T O’Flaherty; R Clerkin, C Burke, J Walsh. Subs: B McHugh for Clerkin (40).
Referee: D Harrington (St Sylvester’s).