CLASSY MAX FACTOR KEY FOR HOLY’S HOTSHOTS
Daire Walsh
THEY were team-mates for several years on the field of play, but former Dublin dual stars David Henry and Shane Ryan found themselves in opposite corners at Croke Park on Tuesday.
Henry was part of Holy Trinity SNS, Donaghmede management team for their Sciath Chumann na nGael decider against St David’s BNS, Artane – who have been able to call on the guidance of Ryan throughout the current school term.
The Naomh Mearnog clubman works in tandem with Denis Moloney, while Henry shares coaching responsibilities with Diarmaid Ryan at Holy Trinity.
Despite their prominence in hurling circles, the big ball game was foremost in the minds of the ex-Sky Blues duo at Jones’ Road.
Both men were known for their versatility as players and there were a number of star performances at either end of the pitch in this shield showdown.
Max McCann was Holy Trinity’s scorer-in-chief, helping himself to an outstanding haul of 1-6 over the course of a 50-minute contest.
However, the dynamic centre-forward wasn’t left to plough a lone furrow for the Donaghmede school.
Fellow attacker Luis Stanley kicked three points and inside forward Cian Corrigan also bagged a brace of white-flag specials. Additionally, Daragh Kinsella flicked home a McCann delivery to ensure Holy Trinity were worthy 2-13 to 2-6 victors in the end.
David’s can hold their heads high in defeat, though, with midfielders Andy Izota and Jack Whyte O’Rourke proving to be particularly prominent. Ben Hanlon and Eric Boland impressed up front, while Calum O’Carroll served notice of his potential with an unstoppable strike to the roof of the Holy Trinity net.
Just moments after their boys team had lost out to St Finian’s PS, Newcastle Lyons in the Corn Mhic Chaoilte showpiece, the girls of Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Lana na Culoige came face-to-face with Sacred Heart NS, Sruleen in the Sciath na Laoch competition. Eager to embrace their big day out in front of the famed Hill 16, the Santry outfit enjoyed a dream start to the proceedings.
Inside the opening 60 seconds, Olivia Nic an Phearsuin flicked home after Sophia Ni Dhuibh had made the initial inroads. The opening period was a low-scoring affair and, when former Dublin footballer Dermot Deasy blew for half-time, the Gaelscoil were a single point to the good (1-1 to 1-0).
DETERMINATION
Yet, their steely determination shone through on the restart and corner-forward Ni Dhuibh was at the heart of all that was good about Lana na Culoige. She produced clinical finishes either side of an Isabelle Ni Bhuachalla three-pointer and captain Olivia Ni Liathain got the goal her performance deserved in the closing moments.
A spirited Sacred Heart fired back through Emily Crook-Hammond, but GS Cholmcille ultimately prevailed on a scoreline of 5-3 to 2-2.
There was also an emphatic triumph for St Mary’s BNS, Rathfarnham on day one of the Cumann na mBunscol extravaganza at GAA HQ.
They recorded a 8-13 to 0-8 success at the expense of Scoil Mhuire BNS, Marino in Corn Kitterick. It was a closer affair in the Corn na nGearaltach meeting between St Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide and Scoil Maelruain SNS, Old Bawn – the latter finishing with two points to spare (1-14 to 2-9).
Meanwhile, at the Hogan Stand end of the ground, St Patrick’s GNS, Ringsend edged past the challenge of Loreto College JS, St Stephen’s Green in the Sciath Tadgh O Cionnaith final (1-2 to 0-3).