Tommy Callaghan, 16 Dec
Geraldine Park, Athy, was the venue for the first of the Leinster
Schools Senior Football 'A' Bro Bosco Cup quarter-finals when Ardscoil
na Tríonóide, Athy, faced up to the defending champions Naas CBS,
yesterday (Monday 16 December).
And it was the school from the south of the county that not only took
the honours but brought an end to the magnificent Naas CBS team who
were aiming for their fourth Bosco Cup in a row.
On the day it was the Michael Healy managed school who prevailed and
while there was seven points separating the sides in the end there is
no doubting the better team won on the day. Pacier, a solid defence, a
strong midfielder and had a number of forwards who scored some top
class points.
Having said that but for Athy keeper, Oisin Groarke Naas could have
stolen this as late on the Castlemitchell net minder made three
absolutely outstanding saves to deny Naas.
The fact that Naas scored just a solitary point in the opening half,
while also hitting six wides tells its own story while the winners hit
just one wide and that was in the 49 minute.
Athy got off to a flying start, hemming their opponents inside their
own half and with points from Sam Lynch, Evan Doogue (2) and Darragh
Farrell (mark) they opened a four point lead after seven minutes.
Naas had possession though they found it so difficult to break down a
defence that at times had 14 behind the ball (the sooner the new rules
come into force the better) but one thing the winners had was pace and
they had it in abundance and when they did decide to come out of their
defensive mode they were very dangerous.
Naas hit three wides on the trot before Tríonóide added a fifth point,
mid-way through, Daniel Farrell the scorer.
It was not until the 17 minute that Naas opened their account, Conan
Breen raising a white flag, the corner back showing his fellow forwards
how it was done.
With Naas keeper, Mark Halligan constantly leaving his defensive duties
to try and add a bit of impetus to his side's attack but still breaking
down that defence proved too difficult for them.
Points from the impressive Colm Moran, Evan Doogue and a Ronan Kelly
free after a foul on Eoin Johnson saw the Athy school lead at the break
0-8 to 0-1.
That lead was extended within a minute of the resumption with Colm
Moran converted a free after a foul on James Donnelly.
However Naas gave themselves a lifeline two minutes later after a fine
move involving four players ended with Liam Kenny palming the ball to
the net to leave it 0-9 to 1-1 with just 33 minutes gone.
And with Ardscoil na Tríonóide inclined to concentrate on defence
rather than attacking Naas carved out more scoring opportunities but
their accuracy let them down on a fair few occasions before Liam Kenny
hit a beauty to reduce the lead to just four points.
The Athy boys slowly but surely came back into it and Colm Moran had a
goal chance but slipped at the wrong time but recovered to punch over
and after Ronan Kelly was fouled up stepped that man Moran again to
convert the free and make it 0-11 to 1-2 on 42 minutes.
A tremendous block by Paudi Kelly after a Naas goal attempt came back
of the crossbar.
Athy added a point from Sam Lynch, his second of the game before Oisin
Groarke came to his side's rescue with a brilliant save to deny Liam
Kenny.
Naas full forward Euan Cowser hit a beauty but unfortunately for him
and Naas, that was the last point of the game for the champions and
while Ronan Kelly hit a great long range free another brilliant diving
save from Oisin Groarke ensured his goal was kept in tact for the game.
A fine win for Athy, who can look head with confidence to the
semi-final and if they can show more of their attacking flair they
could trouble a few sides in this Bosco Cup yet.
Final score: Ardscoil Na Tríonóide Athy 0-13 Naas CBS 1-3.
Scorers: Ard Scoil na Tríonóide, Colm Moran 0-4 (2 frees), Evan Doogue
0-3, Ronan Kelly 0-2 (2 frees), Sam Lynch 0-2, Darragh Farrell 0-2
(mark).
Naas CBS: Liam Kenny 1-1, Conor Breen 0-1, Euan Cowser 0-1.
ARD SCOIL NA TRÍONÓIDE ATHY: Oisin Groarke (Castlemitchell); Daniel
Henry (Athy), Mark Grufferty (St Laurence's), Liam Byrne (Athy);
Cameron Pedreschi (Athy), James Donnelly (St Laurence's), Calum Keaveny
(Athy); Eoin Johnson (St Laurence's), Robbie Murphy (St Laurence's);
Ronan Kelly (Athy), Colm Moran (Athy), Sam Lynch (St Laurence's); Evan
Doogue (Castlmitchell), Darragh Farrell (St Joseph's), Paidi Kelly
(Castlmitchell). Subs: Harry Grainger (Athy); Eoin Coffey
(Castlemitchell).
NAAS CBS: Mark Halligan (Naas); Oisin O'Neill (Naas), Eli Dhlos (Naas),
Conor Breen (Naas); Cillian Power (Sallins), Rob Murray (Naas), Evan
Cahill (Eadestown); Dara Cooke (Raheens), Liam McKevitt (Naas); Liam
Kenny (Naas), Sean Tully (Raheens), Aidan McGrane (Naas); Evan Lenehan
(Naas), Euan Cowser (Naas), Tom Boran (Eadestown). Subs: Tom Kilmartin
(Naas), Rob Millham (Naas), Niall McAndrew (Naas), Cillian Long (Naas).
REFEREE: David Sweeney, Dublin.