DUBLIN SENIOR ‘A’ HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: ST BENILDUS 2-17 ST AIDAN’S 1-8
BENILDUS ARE ‘A’ OK
Foley and O’Toole in top form as southsiders claim title
Daire Walsh
CIARAN Foley recorded a superb haul of 2-4 to inspire St Benildus College to their first Dublin Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship title since 2011 at Abbotstown last Friday.
Aaron O’Toole also amassed a tally of 0-8, as the southsiders enjoyed a convincing victory against St Aidan’s CBS in the National Games Development Centre. The two schools recently faced each other in the Leinster Senior ‘A’ Football Championship group stages – which ended in a comfortable triumph for Aidan’s.
The towering Foley featured in that encounter and shook the back of the opposition net just 15 seconds into this much-anticipated decider. A brace of O’Toole points helped to make it a dream start for Benildus, before Tom Gleeson finally opened the Aidan’s account.
The lively corner-forward then traded scores with Cian Duigan and also found the target off a subsequent free. Although Foley, O’Toole (two) and Joe Sweeney points kept Benildus in the driving seat, Paddy Maloney’s goal breathed life into the Aidan’s challenge on 23 minutes.
Gleeson proceeded to increase his opening period tally to four points, though the equally-impressive O’Toole ended the half with 0-6 to his name. Foley and centre-back Conor Mooney added points on the stroke of the interval – giving Benildus a commanding 1-11 to 1-4 lead.
While the Kilmacud Road Upper outfit used a strong breeze to telling effect prior to the break, full-forward Gerard Veale enhanced their advantage when the action resumed.
Aidan’s built up a head of steam during the third-quarter, however – registering four points in succession to offer themselves a fighting chance of glory.
After Niall Carroll cut in off the right-wing for an eye-catching score, Gleeson split the uprights on three occasions to move Aidan’s back within touching distance. Yet, the closing stages of the tie were largely dominated by a determined Benildus.
The double act of O’Toole and Foley (two) continued to lead the way up front and the latter placed the outcome beyond doubt with another magnificent three-pointer. Veale and O’Toole (free) singles in stoppage-time proved to be the icing on the cake for Benildus, who will now represent the county in the Leinster SH ‘B’ series.
Scorers – St Benildus College: C Foley 2-4, A O’Toole 0-8 (5f, 1 ’65’), G Veale 0-2, C Mooney (f), J Sweeney, C Duigan 0-1 each. St Aidan’s CBS: T Gleeson 0-7 (5f), P Maloney 1-0, N Carroll 0-1.
ST BENILDUS COLLEGE: E Donnelly; E McEnerney, C Lyndon, S Cullinane; J Kelly, C Mooney, J Quinlan; N Roe, L Murphy; J Sweeney, A O’Toole, S Farren; C Foley, G Veale, C Duigan. Subs: D Kenny for Farren (58), B Keogh for Duigan (62).
ST AIDAN’S CBS: A Moran; S Brady, N Power, S Giles; C Burke, E Flaherty, D Noonan; J Thorpe, K Doran; T Kellett, N Carroll, S Lowry; T Gleeson, A McNally, P Maloney. Subs: C Sheridan for Noonan (12), Noonan for Brady, S Finn for Kellett (both 35).
Referee: D Sweeney (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh).