Jack's the lad as Naas CBS claim Leinster Junior title in style
Niall McAndrew Naas CBS Recives the Cup from Michael Seavers Leinster GAA after his Teams win over StBenildus in the Leinster GAA PPS Jr A Football Final on Thursday in St Brigids GAA Dublin Photo Martin Rowe
A return of 2-4 from corner forward, Jack Reilly, helped Naas CBS to an emphatic 24 point win over Dublin Champions, St Benildus College, in the Leinster GAA PPS Junior “A” Final at a sun soaked Tom Russell Park, home of St Brigid’s GAA, Blanchardstown on Thursday afternoon.
The Kill club man was well aided and abetted by a 1-3 return from Raheens, Rory Thompson and a goal from his clubmate, Rian Curran in an unexpected rout of the Dublin champions.
The Stillorgan school had only one point to show after playing with the wind in the first half while the County Town school turned around with 2-5 on the scoreboard. CBS went on to score another 2-10 in the second half while the Dublin school just added two points to their tally.
Matters were very tight in the opening quarter which ended a 0-1 apiece, Luca Manicle with the point from a free for Benildus after seven minutes and CBS midfielder, Hugh Kelly equalising from play two minutes later.
Naas began to assert themselves at the start of the second half and they began to take momentum from a poor Benildus kick out which ended with Rory Thompson planting the ball emphatically past Ronan Murray in the Dublin school’s goal in the 18th minute. Thompson added a point from a free a minute later and further Naas white flags were raised by captain, Niall McAndrew, Jack Reilly, and Oisin McAfee before Reilly got through for his first and Naas’ second goal on the stroke of half time.
Ten points between the sides at the break, then, 2-5 to 0-1 and things didn’t get any better for the Dublin school in the second half. Thompson and Callum Cowzer added early points for the winners before centre half forward, Rian Curran got through for goal number three in the 41st minute.
Reilly added to his tally with three more points and McAfee added another with the only responses for Benildus from Pearse Glendon and Alex Deely and Naas led 3-11 to 0-3 with six minutes remaining.
Reilly got through for his second goal in the 58th minute while there were also points from substitute, Ronan Walsh, Thompson, and Max Sargent (2) as Naas CBS ran out comfortable victors.
NAAS CBS: Ryan Sargent (Blessington), Colin Parker (Naas), Daniel Sargent (Eadestown), Liam Mescal (Eadestown); Niall McAndrew (Naas) 0-1, Aran Martin (Naas), Cathal Harris (Raheens); Hugh Kelly (Kill) 0-1, Oisin McAfee (Raheens) 0-2; Matthew Galvin (Two Mile House), Rian Curran (Raheens) 1-0, Max Sargent (Eadestown) 0-2; Callum Cowzer (Naas) 0-1, Rory Thompson (Raheens) 1-3 (1 free), Jack Reilly (Kill) 2-4 Subs: Mark McCarthy (Sallins) for Matthew Galvin 43, Ronan Walsh (Eadestown) 0-1for Rian Curran 45, Harry Ward (Kill) for Cathal Harris 50, Fionn Stewart Byrne (Ballymore Eustace) for Oisin McAfee 50.
ST BENILDUS COLLEGE: Ronan Murray; Davin Tighe, Rhys Sutherland, Oscar Palmer; Philip Moore, Pearse Glendon 0-1, Alex Deally 0-1; Tommy Dillon, Albie O’Callaghan; Conn McCluskey, Luca Manicle 0-1 (free), Donal O’Meara; Luke Lynch, Billy McDonnell, Andy McDonnell.
REFEREE: John Dunning (Dublin)
