GAA: UCD INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Colaiste Eoin claim UCD’s inaugural Invitational Plate
Daire Walsh
ON a hectic afternoon at Belfield last Thursday, Coláiste Eoin claimed the inaugural UCD Senior Hurling Post-Primary Invitational Plate with an impressive win over Kilkenny CBS.
This competition completed another productive season for the Gaelscoil, who secured the Dublin Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling title at the expense of Coláiste Eanna on February 23.
They were subsequently defeated by Coláiste Choilm in a Leinster ‘B’ showpiece, but had an opportunity to finish their campaign on a high as part of three-team blitz at Billings Park.
After losing out to Kilkenny CBS in their opening game of the day, Eoin got the better of St Peter’s, Wexford by the slenderest of margins. As a result, the Booterstown boys renew acquaintances with CBS for a place in the Cup final alongside St Peter’s.
This encounter also doubled up as a battle for the Invitational Plate, raising the stakes to a considerable degree.
With Seán Ó Cinnseallaigh, Pádraig Puirséil and Dárach Mac Giolla Bhride leading the way, Eoin took the game to CBS.
Cormac Mac Máthúna, Tom Stakelum and Eoghan Ó Ceallacháin also produced strong defensive performances over the course of the contest (played over two 15-minute halves), offering Cathal Fleming’s side the platform for an eventual extra-time triumph.
Their resulting showdown with St Peter’s ultimately ended in a narrow reversal, but with silverware already in the bag by this stage, the tournament proved to be a worthwhile exercise for Coláiste Eoin.