GAELIC GAMES: SEN FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Ardscoil get boost in race for county honours
By Daire Walsh
ARDSCOIL RIS boosted their Dublin Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship prospects with a convincing victory over St Fintan’s HS, Sutton last Friday.
Despite producing a committed display over the course of the hour, Fintan’s fell short against their impressive Griffith Avenue counterparts. Ardscoil previously faced St Benildus College in the top-tier and also have encounters with Maynooth SS and defending champions St Aidan’s CBS on the horizon – following the mid-term break.
The aforementioned Aidan’s have helped to develop the careers of several inter-county stars in the recent past (including the Small brothers, John and Paddy) and are expected to be in the shake-up once again.
The top-two sides in the five-team round robin will progress to the ‘A’ Championship decider, while the third and fourth-placed outfit will compete in a shield final.
GRADE
However, whereas Ardscoil Ris can place all their focus on the county grade, the remaining schools in this competition will soon switch their attention to the Leinster Senior ‘A’ Football Championship – which gets underway on November 13.
Aidan’s and Maynooth have been drawn in a three-strong Group B with Knockbeg College, where the margin for error will be extremely narrow.
Fintan’s find themselves in Group C alongside fellow Dublin outfit Colaiste Eoin (who don’t compete at county level) and Good Counsel, New Ross.
Meanwhile, Benildus will have a significant fight on their hands if they have designs on reaching the provincial knockout rounds.
They have been pitted in Group E against Lilywhite duo Patrician Newbridge and Naas CBS – who are chasing a third consecutive Br Bosco Cup title.