GAELIC GAMES: NORTH LEINSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL ‘A’ LEAGUE
Aidan’s into the last four after seeing off Mary’s threat
Daire Walsh
ST Aidan’s CBS will face St Pat’s, Navan in the semi-final of the North Leinster Senior Football ‘A’ League after they recorded a comprehensive victory over St Mary’s, Edenderry in Whitehall last Friday afternoon.
The Collins Avenue outfit had defeated Colaiste Mhuire of Mullingar in their opening game of Group Two, and with Mary’s also entering the contest with a win against the Westmeath school under their belts, both teams knew that a place in the last-four of the competition was up for grabs.
However, the Mary’s squad was severely depleted for their trip to the capital, and thanks to strong performances by Cian Murphy and Matt Moran, Aidan’s kept their attack at bay throughout the opening period.
Aidan’s are able to call on a number of players from last year’s panel, and with Keith Campbell combining effectively at midfield with Chris Davis, the northsiders brought a 2-9 to 0-2 lead into the break.
Indeed, the hosts continued to dominate after the restart, thanks in no small part to the influence of county star James Doran. The Na Fianna marksman played a key role for the Dublin minors in their Leinster Championship success in the summer, and he capped a fine display with an excellent goal for his side.
Lee Gannon – a county minor hurler – and Andy McCaul also registered impressive three-pointers for a dominant St Aidan’s, who comfortably advanced to the penultimate round of the league with all of 18 points to spare (3-15 to 0-6) over their midlands counterparts.