DUBLIN HURLING ROUND-UP
Declan’s and Colmcille’s to clash in Juvenile ‘A’ decider
Daire Walsh
ST Declan’s College will play St Colmcille’s in the Dublin Schools Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling final, after they secured respective victories over Colaiste Eanna and Ardscoil Ris this week.
Declan’s faced Colaiste Eanna at St Brigid’s GAA on Tuesday, and having emerged from a group that included St Aidan’s CBS, Ardscoil and St Fintan’s HS, they were confident of progressing from this penultimate round clash. Eanna had come through a difficult section against St Benildus College, Castleknock CC and St Mac Dara’s CC, but it was their Cabra opponents who dominated the play from the word go.
Dead-ball specialist Ger Ryan was in excellent scoring form for Brian Avery’s charges, and with the lively Ciaran McDonald also helping himself to a goal, Declan’s held a seemingly insurmountable 2-11 to 1-2 interval lead. Eanna gave themselves a fighting chance by registering 2-1 without reply at the start of the second half, but with goals from McDonald and Adam Boland perfectly complimenting Ryan’s final tally of 0-11 (0-4 from open play), Declan’s recorded a 4-17 to 3-4 win.
They will face St Colmcille’s in the forthcoming decider, after the Scholarstown Road boys overcame Ardscoil Ris yesterday afternoon. Their Griffith Avenue opponents had already competed in the Junior ‘A’ and Senior ‘A’ Hurling finals during the current school season, but playing on their home turf, Colmcille’s finished with all of 16 points (4-11 to 1-4) to spare.
Meanwhile, Colaiste Eoin’s quest for a second consecutive Tom Quinlan Cup crown remains alive, following the gaelscoil’s thrilling 6-13 to 4-9 triumph against St Aidan’s at UCD yesterday. It was also a day to remember for Portmarnock CS, as they defeated Chanel College, 6-13 to 2-9, in a Tom Quinlan Shield quarter-final.