Leinster Final Heartache

Leinster Final Heartache 2016

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 08:00AM

For the second time in three years our senior footballers suffered heartache in a Leinster ‘A’ final at the hands of Dublin opposition. With the referee considering postponing the match up to ten minutes prior to throw-in, the usually immaculate O’Connor Park surface was under pressure. After a competitive opening the pick of the scores came from the boot of Brian Derwin from play. Playing against the tricky wind, the Marist were in a good place after the opening ten minutes. Then disaster struck. St. Benildus took the initiative with an incisive move finished to the net by their Dublin minor midfielder. This setback was quickly added to when the Marist rear-guard failed to deal with an innocuous under-hit free kick that ended up in the net. Two hammer blows like that would have seen a lesser side bend the knee, but the Marist dug deep.

Despite some manful performances, epitomised by the industry of Daniel Reid, this was too great a margin to claw back on a day not conducive to high scoring. Reid was at the end of the Marist’s best flowing move ten minutes into the second half and he was brought to ground. Ryan Gaffey hammered home the penalty, and excellent points by Corey Reid and substitute Luke Carty saw the Marist within three. Benildus were able to pick of scores to keep ahead though and in the end they ran out 2-6 tp 1-7 victors.

Immense praise has to go to our management team of John Parker, Fergal Wilson and Eoin Jordan for the work they put in with this team. The players can hold their heads high after beating much vaunted sides, like St. Peter’s and Good Counsel of Wexford and Dublin’s Colaiste Eoin, en route to the decider. With the talent available on the pitch and on the side-lines, Leinster glory is surely not far away.

Thanks to all the local clubs, AIB and the Parents’ Association for their generosity in the run-up to the final.