GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN JUVENILE ‘A’ FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aidan’s and Maynooth progress to Juvenile ‘A’ final
Daire Walsh
ST Aidan’s CBS will face Maynooth SS in the Top Oil Dublin Schools Juvenile ‘A’ Football Championship decider, following their respective semi-final victories last Friday afternoon.
Aidan’s entered their encounter with Ardscoil Ris at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn on the back of a morale-boosting quarter-final success over St Benildus College two weeks earlier, and an early goal from James Maloney helped them to settle. Maloney was combining effectively with Rhys McCarthy during the early moments of the contest, and thanks to strong defensive displays from Daniel Day and Sean Grehan, they found themselves in front at the midway point.
The Ardscoil attack did pose a threat for large spells of the action, however, and Aidan’s netminder Luke Garland produced a number of fine saves to keep his side in the ascendancy. Yet, Aidan’s proved to be more clinical with the opportunities that fell their way, and with the impressive Sean Gannon driving forward from midfield, they progressed on a winning scoreline of 5-8 to 1-7.
Maynooth were defeated by eventual champions Colaiste Eoin at the penultimate stage of last year’s competition, but after they had three points to spare (1-11 to 3-2) against St Fintan’s HS, Sutton in Moyglare on the same day, they are expected to provide stiff opposition to Aidan’s in the upcoming final.