GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER SENIOR ‘A’ HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL PREVIEW
Daunting decider for Booterstown boys against St Kieran’s
Daire Walsh
THEY have been remarkably successful at both codes in recent seasons and Coláiste Eoin are now on the verge of a historic triumph at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday.
Thanks to their gutsy semi-final win over Kilkenny CBS on February 10, the Gaelscoil have reached their maiden Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider (throw-in 12pm). Top-tier provincial victories have been few and far between for Dublin schools, with the county’s representative sides providing the greatest joy in recent seasons.
Dublin North claimed last year’s crown – preceding the 2001 and 2008 titles for the combined colleges. You have to go back to 1954 for the last time a school from the capital emerged with top honours – when O’Connell CBS had the measure of Mount St Joseph, Roscrea.
Eoin have developed a significant pedigree en route to this year’s final. They previously defeated CBS in the opening round and had 10 points (3-12 to 0-11) to spare over North in their subsequent meeting.
Yet, they remain outsiders against 55-time champions St Kieran’s College. Having relinquished their crown in 2018, the All-Ireland champions had too much fire power for Dublin North in the last-four.
They have two Leinster Senior ‘A’ Football Championships to their name, but a victory this weekend would undoubtedly eclipse those achievements for Coláiste Eoin.