DUBLIN SFC ‘A’ FINAL: ST AIDAN’S CBS 6-9 MAYNOOTH 2-12
Foley to fore as Aidan’s get goals
Daire Walsh
ST AIDAN’S CBS delivered a stunning goal blitz at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown yesterday to claim the Dublin Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship crown.
With their central attacking axis of John Foley and Kerrie Hannon in top form throughout, they secured top-tier honours for the first time since 2016. Maynooth SS kept in touch for large stretches, but ultimately struggled to match the firepower of their Collins Avenue rivals.
With half-back Tadhg Kellett leading their charge, Aidan’s opened up an early advantage. Champions at this grade as recently as 2017, Maynooth subsequently moved into the ascendancy with a series of well-worked scores.
However, Aidan’s kept their composure to eventually lead 2-4 to 0-7 at the break. Fresh from his appearance for St Vincent’s in their AFL1 defeat to St Jude’s on Tuesday night, Sean Lowry exerted a powerful influence. He ended the contest with a goal to his name, though half-forward partners Eoin Flaherty and Foley also played pivotal roles in Aidan’s success.
Flaherty contributed 1-1 over the course of the hour, but it was the excellent Foley who proved to be scorer-in-chief.
The centre-forward amassed a personal tally of 2-6 – 2-3 of which came from open play.
Netminder Jamie O’Brien was kept busy at various intervals by a persistent Maynooth, but Aidan’s always possessed a potent threat in the opposition half.
Hannon registered a brace of goals for his side and with Glen Sheridan and Sean Giles also getting in on the scoring act, St Aidan’s emerged as thoroughly deserving winners on the day.