GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER
Aidan’s and Benildus grouped with last year’s holders Naas
Daire Walsh
AT Croke Park last Thursday, St Aidan’s CBS and St Benildus College were picked alongside holders Naas CBS in Group One of the Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship.
The pairings were also made for the forthcoming provincial hurling campaign, which finds Colaiste Eoin of Booterstown coming up against Kilkenny CBS.
INSPIRED
Benildus were Leinster SF champions as recently as 2016, when current Kilmacud Crokes senior such as Callum Pearson and Dan O’Brien inspired them to a final win over Marist College.
They had defeated St Aidan’s on their way to the decider, before the Collins Avenue outfit gained revenge in a subsequent county showpiece.
With two teams progressing from a group that also features Maynooth SS (who compete in Dublin schools competitions), the Sky Blues representatives have a very small margin for error.
In addition to facing five-time winners Knockbeg College in Group Two, Colaiste Eoin will lock horns with Scoil Mhuire, Clane for the third year in succession.
Eoin have triumphed in their recent meetings – both of which took place at the Silver Park grounds in Leopardstown.
Dublin footballer Con O’Callaghan was scorer-in-chief when they last claimed provincial honours four years ago and the class of 2018 will be eager to leave their own mark when the group stages get underway on November 14.
A number of Eoin’s squad are also part of the senior hurling set-up for their straight knockout encounter on December 12.
Dublin North were Leinster’s small ball supremos last February, courtesy of a magnificent success at the expense of eventual All-Ireland champions St Kieran’s College.
Should they advance through the Group Team section (where Dublin South also feature), they will meet St Brendan’s, Birr.