GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER COLLEGES SF
Benildus draw champions in Leinster group
Daire Walsh
ST Benildus College will face title holders St Peter’s, Wexford in the newly-formed group stages of the Leinster Senior Football ‘A’ Championship, after the draw for the competition was made in Croke Park on Tuesday.
In a break from the traditional knockout format, the competing teams have been divided into six groups of three teams each – with the winners of each section being joined by two group teams at the quarter-final stage.
HOLDING
Leinster champions of 2015/16, Benildus, were represented at the draw by Oisin Donnelly, and he believes they are capable of holding their own against both Peter’s and Athlone CC.
“Peter’s obviously won it last year, but I feel we’re able to go out and challenge them. I feel that we’ve a good team this year, and we can go out and can get good results out of the games,” Donnelly remarked.
St Aidan’s CBS were drawn out with St Mel’s, Longford and Patrician Newbridge in Group A, but although they defeated both teams last season, their Whitehall Colmcille star – Brendan Daly – doesn’t expect it to have any bearing when the action gets underway on November 15.
“Between the schools it’s such a turnover of players. It doesn’t really matter who you’ve played or who you haven’t played.
“You might want to beat more teams than others, but I don’t think it really matters,” Daly stated.
Meanwhile, St Fintan’s HS, Sutton were drawn alongside Maynooth PP and Marist Athlone in Group F, whereas 2014 winners Colaiste Eoin will be joined in Group C by Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar and Scoil Mhuire, Clane.
Eoin are also competing in the Leinster Senior Football ‘A’ League, and thanks to a hat-trick of goals from Conor Ó Cinseallaigh, they recorded a 4-12 to 1-11 win against Moate CS at Silver Park last Thursday.