DUBLIN SHC ‘A’: COL EOIN 0-20 COL EANNA 1-9
EOIN KEEP UP THE ‘A’ AVERAGE
Eanna’s Cashman in fine form but O hEachtigheirn inspires win
Daire Walsh
COLAISTE Eoin produced an impressive display at Abbotstown last Friday to secure the Dublin Schools Senior Hurling ‘A’ title for the second year in succession.
With Ciaran Cashman in fine scoring form, their opponents – Colaiste Eanna – remained in contention for large spells of the contest. However, after wing-back Cillian Wall was dismissed on 44 minutes, the Tom Ó hEachtigheirn-inspired Gaelscoil held on to their county crown in convincing fashion.
While Eoin had only booked their place in this decider four days earlier (a penultimate round success over St Fintan’s HS), Eanna’s semi-final triumph against Ardscoil Ris was back in October. This wasn’t necessarily a hindrance to the southsiders early on as Seán Ó Cinnseallaigh’s deadlock-breaking point was followed by Cian Corcoran’s flicked goal in the third-minute of play.
This was an early blow for the defending champions, but they got back on track with consecutive scores from Séamus Ó Fiachna, Dara Ó Puirséil and the roving Fionn Ó Ceallaigh. Cashman levelled matters with his maiden free of the proceedings before Eoin once again responded through Ó Fiachna and Donncha Ó Muireadaigh.
Cashman was on target for Eanna either side of another Ó Fiachna effort, but their defence came under intense pressure as the half developed. An Ó Fiachna brace was supplemented by Donal Mac Duinnsléibhe’s point on the run, giving Aodan De Paor’s charges breathing space.
The Cashmans – Enda and Ciaran – subsequently narrowed the gap, only for Ó Ceallaigh’s second to fire Eoin into a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the break. Thanks to additional points from centre-back Ó hEachtigheirn and Ó Fiachna (two), the Booterstown school increased their advantage to six points in lightning-quick time.
Eanna weren’t willing to go down without a fight, though. A Johnny O’Donoghue point was sandwiched in between similar strikes by Ciaran Cashman, offering them a new lease of life as a result.
Yet, following Pádraig Ó Lúinneacháin’s settler for Eoin, they received a major set-back. Wall was given a straight red-card at the end of the third-quarter, leaving Eanna with a mountain to climb.
Ciaran Cashman enhanced his personal tally after 56 minutes, but his final free was preceded by Eoin contributions from Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Muireadaigh and Puirséil.
The elusive Puirséil added his third point in response to Cashman’s seventh before Ó hEachtigheirn capped an outstanding display with a fine score deep into stoppage-time.
Scorers – Colaiste Eoin: S Ó Fiachna 0-7 (7f), D Puirséil, F Ó Ceallaigh 0-3 each, T Ó hEachtigheirn, D Ó Muireadaigh 0-2 each, S Ó Cinnseallaigh, D Mac Duinnsléibhe, P Ó Lúinneacháin 0-1 each. Colaiste Eanna: C Cashman 0-7 (7f), C Corcoran 1-0, E Cashman, J O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
COLAISTE EOIN: E Mac Giobúin; C Cinnseallach, C Mac Dáibhéid, E Ó Ceallacháin; T Stakelum, T Ó hEachtigheirn, S Ó Cinnseallaigh; D Mac Duinnsléibhe, D Ó Dúgáin; S Ó Fiachna, D Ó Floinn, J Ó Tuama; D Puirséil, F Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Muireadaigh. Subs: I Ó hEithir for Ó Cinnseallaigh (29), P Puirséil for Ó Tuama (30+2), P Ó Lúinneacháin for Ó Dúgáin (37), C Mac Giolla Phádraig for Ó Floinn, M Ó Glacáin for Ó Ceallaigh (both 63).
COLAISTE EANNA: J Lambert; L McDonnell, J Dalton, J McDonnell; J Kenny, R Hester, C Wall; T Glynn, B Kelly; E Cashman, J O’Donoghue, D O’Riordan; C McDonnell, C Cashman, C Corcoran. Subs: T O’Neill for Wall (23-24), K Zibas for O’Donoghue (58).
Referee: D Sweeney (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh).