GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER SF ‘A’ QUARTER-FINAL
AIDAN’S CAN’T MASTER MOATE
Collins Avenue outfit narrowly lose in Leinster SF quarter-final at Whitehall
Daire Walsh
THEY fought until the bitter end at a rain-soaked Whitehall Colmcille GAA, but St Aidan’s CBS ultimately exited the Leinster Schools’ Senior Football ‘A’ Championship at the quarter-final stage yesterday afternoon.
Defending champions St Benildus College were comprehensively defeated by Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar in a second round encounter last week, and courtesy of a well-taken goal from Robbie Forde, Ollie Denneher’s charges came up short against another Lake County opponent – Moate CS on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-8.
Aidan’s produced big second-half showings to eventually overcome Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge and St Mel’s College, Longford in the earlier rounds of this competition, and they were competing in the final-eight of the provincial championship for the second year in succession.
With conditions proving to be difficult for both teams, it came as no surprise that scores were hard to come by in yesterday’s meeting. Donal Ryan and Keith Campbell were key players once more for Aidan’s, and Tony McCaul (son of former Dublin footballer Anto) registered a terrific point for the Collins Avenue outfit.
However, with Forde exerting an influence for the visitors, Aidan’s were facing into a 0-4 to 0-1 interval deficit. Campbell was starting to dictate from midfield, though, and four points without reply helped the hosts (who include Whitehall clubmen John Moore and Gerry Ryan amongst their management team) to move into the ascendancy after the restart. Lee Gannon and Jordan Leonard were both on target in the second-half for Aidan’s, while the ever-dependable Campbell finished with a personal haul of 0-5.
Yet, Forde’s goal at the end of the third-quarter proved crucial, and although they gained a considerable amount of possession in the closing moments, St Aidan’s couldn’t rein in the challenge posed by Moate.