GAELIC GAMES: NORTH LEINSTER SF ‘A’ SEMI-FINAL
Southside Gaelscoil survives fightback by St Mel’s to reach league decider
Daire Walsh
COLAISTE Eoin will compete in the North Leinster Senior Football ‘A’ League final in 2017 after they held off a late fightback from St Mel’s College, Longford at Kinnegad on Monday afternoon.
With Conchúr Cinnsealach and Eoghan Seoige in fine form, the gaelscoil appeared to be heading towards a commanding victory against the midlanders.
Mel’s kept fighting until the bitter end, though, and Eoin had just three points to spare (3-11 to 1-14) when the final whistle was eventually sounded.
Eoin’s campaign in the Leinster SF ‘A’ Championship had ended in a second-round defeat to St Peter’s College, Wexford at the beginning of December, but when you consider the success that the school had enjoyed in football in recent years, they were always going to approach this encounter with great intent.
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They were provincial champions as recently as 2013/14, and they also secured the South Leinster ‘A’ League crown with a superb final triumph over Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge in the same campaign.
However, they were facing a Mel’s side who caused St Aidan’s CBS a number of problems in their tightly-contested Leinster Championship meeting, and there was little to separate the teams in the opening half.
Robbie O’Connell and Brian Harte were key figures for the Longford school, but with Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne leading by example, the Eoin defence largely limited Mel’s to scores from placed-balls. Dublin minor star Eoghan Mac Giolla Phádraig and Jack Ó hAirtneada were combining effectively in the middle of the field, and courtesy of two goals from the energetic Seoige, Eoin brought a 2-5 to 0-7 lead into the interval.
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Mel’s were not out of sight just yet, however, and the free-flowing nature of the game ensured that both teams would have their fair share of opportunities to earn vital scores after the restart.
Cinnsealach kept the Mel’s rearguard on their toes, though, and following a strong scoring burst by Padraig Mac Donncha’s side, the gap had widened to 10 points heading into the closing stages of this penultimate round clash.
It was at this point that Mel’s settled into an attacking groove, and they recorded 1-4 without reply to place the final outcome in doubt.
Yet, Colaiste Eoin ultimately dug deep to advance to the decider, where they will face the winners of the second semi-final, which is between Scoil Dara, Kilcock and Moate CS.