DUBLIN NORTH V COL EOIN REACTION
De Paor: O hEachthigheirn’s goal crucial factor in making the semis
Daire Walsh
COLÁISTE Eoin manager Aodan De Paor acknowledged that Tom Ó hEachthigheirn’s 27th-minute goal played a crucial part in his side’s Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship second round victory over 14-man Dublin North at Parnell Park.
Leading by just three points at that stage, Ó hEachthigheirn’s superb finish was the springboard for the Booterstown outfit to establish a commanding 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead.
“We were just saying on the line, we felt we’d been on top and we were only three points up,” De Paor explained.
“Just a few minutes before half-time, to get another goal really helped. It made them [North] panic a little bit.”
Nevertheless, De Paor praised North for the way they fought back in the second period – when they cut the gap to two points prior to a late blitz by the eventual winners.
“It’s always going to happen, especially with the level of players they have. The fellas they can bring on, who are also almost county fellas. They really worked hard to get back into it,” De Paor added.