LEINSTER SF ‘C’ FINAL: ST JOSEPH’S RUSH 2-11 DLS BAGENALSTOWN 2-12
Joseph’s fall short against Bagenalstown in decider
Daire Walsh
THERE was heartbreak for St Joseph’s, Rush at Heywood CS last Friday, when they suffered an agonising one-point reversal against Pres DLS Bagenalstown in the Leinster Schools Senior Football ‘C’ final.
Their county triumph over Terenure College helped them to progress to this competition, but even though they secured a good deal of possession in the first half, they were trailing 2-4 to 0-2 at the interval.
Joseph’s gave themselves a fighting chance after the restart, though, as midfielder Donal Clarke claimed a superb 40th-minute goal. With Dublin minor panelist Ciaran Archer (who amassed a personal haul of 0-4) leading by example, the Joseph’s challenge was galvanised, and a second goal from Ryan O’Shea cut their deficit to a minimum.
Indeed, Joseph’s levelled matters through an Archer free, but a strong response to this score ultimately swung the outcome in the Carlow school’s favour.
Meanwhile, St Fintan’s HS, Sutton will compete in the All-Ireland School Senior ‘C’ Hurling decider, following a magnificent success against St Patrick’s, Keady last Saturday.