LEINSTER JUN ‘A’ FC FINAL
Eoin suffer heartache in Leinster decider
Daire Walsh
THERE was heartbreak for Coláiste Eoin at Dunganny on Friday after they suffered a narrow defeat (0-9 to 1-4) against Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar in the Leinster Junior Football ‘A’ Championship showpiece.
Hot on the heels of their county final win over St Aidan’s CBS, Eoin faced the Westmeath outfit in tricky conditions. It took Eoin a while to settle into the contest as Mhuire initially controlled possession.
They got the measure of their opponents as the half wore on and opened their account with a goal from Donal Mac Duinnsleibhe. Indeed, thanks to a succession of pointed frees by the lively Dara Puirséil, they brought a 1-3 to 0-2 lead into the break.
With Iain Ó hEithir and Finn Ó Murchú producing outstanding displays, the Gaelcholáiste side were primed for a big second half showing. Yet, Mhuire, slowly but surely, worked their way back into the frame.
Enda Gaffney’s 0-2 salvo was followed by a Kevin O’Sullivan single, reducing Eoin’s advantage to two points at the beginning of the final-quarter. Mhuire subsequently restored parity to the tie, before hitting the front during the closing moments of the action.
Eoin pushed for a game-changing score as the final whistle approached, but in spite of the best efforts of Mac Duinnsleibhe and Puirséil, they fell short in the end.