St Helen’s and Thaobh na Coille steal show at Croker
ST HELEN’S of Portmarnock and GS Thaobh na Coille were the big winners in Croke Park, as their boys’ and girls’ sides were both victorious in their respective Allianz Cumann na mBunscol deciders.
It was a memorable day at GAA Headquarters, where 24 teams competed in 12 thrilling finals.
With three games taking place at once throughout the morning and afternoon, it was a hectic experience for all concerned, but the action on the pitch did not disappoint.
Helen’s boys kicked things off with an impressive 2-9 to 1-5 triumph over Scoil Peter and Paul of Baldoyle in Corn Chumann na nGael.
Baldoyle had threatened to spoil the party for their north Dublin rivals when Adeola Abass finished emphatically for the game’s first goal, but majors from Ben Gaynor and Mark Devereux were enough to get them through.
The school’s female line-up replicated their success later on in the day, when they overcame St Paul’s of Ayrfield by the narrowest of margins in the Sciath Chomhar Linn, despite the best efforts of inter-county star Ciara O’Neill for St Paul’s.
ACHIEVEMENT
At much the same time as Helen’s were sealing this unique achievement, Stepaside gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille were securing their own double.
Ciara Ni Dhonaile’s 3-4 haul gave them victory over Scoil Muire Sandymount in the Corn an Chladaigh showpiece, and that came hot on the heels of their comprehensive 6-11 to 2-6 success over Our Lady’s Ballinteer in the Sciath Chlanna Gael competition.In contrast to Helen’s and Thaobh na Coille’s unbridled joy, St Mary’s Garristown suffered the agony of defeats to Holy Family River Valley and
Bhrian Boroimhe Sord in the Corn Irish Rubies and Corn O Donnchu finals. Two goals each from Emma Campbell and Louise O’Shea left Holy Family with four points to spare in the former (5-5 to 1-13).
Elsewhere, Scoil Fhursa Cromcastle had half-forward Nathan Burke to thank in the Sciath an Cheid finale, as his 1-6 contribution helped the Coolock outfit to edge out a competitive St Mary’s Saggart by five points (1-11 to 1-6).
There were also wins on the day for Scoil Lorcain Palmerstown, St Mark’s Springfield, Star Of The Sea Sandymount and St Patrick’s Hollypark.
Scoil Oilibheir of Coolmine thwarted a potential treble for Portmarnock schools when they came out on the right end of a low-scoring Sciath Irish Rubies encounter against Scoil Mhearnog (1-5 to 1-3).