LEINSTER COLLEGES SF A FINAL St Mary's Edenderry 1-14 Coláiste Eoin 2-10:ST MARY'S claimed the provincial title as a dramatic Ruairí McNamee point saw his side overcome a battling Coláiste Eoin in Páirc Tailteann, Navan last Saturday afternoon.
The absorbing contest seemed inexorably headed towards extra-time but McNamee’s rousing score from 40 metres with the final kick of the game was a fitting finale to a wonderful encounter in which both sides enjoyed sporadic periods of dominance.
Despite conceding a fifth -minute goal to Cian McMonagale, Coláiste Eoin looked lively in attack and an excellent move involving Matia Mac Donncha and Dáithí Ó Cathmhaoil culminated in Colm Ó Cróinín’s clinical finish to the net from in the 17th minute.
Ó Cróinín’s Dublin hurling teammate Oisín Ó Ruairc scrambled home a second goal for the Stillorgan outfit six minutes before the break as the Dubliners led 2-4 to 1-4 at the interval.
Three points from the influential Ger Leech and a brace of scores by Seán Moriarty seemed likely to clinch the tie for St Mary’s but fine scores from Ó Cróinín and substitute Fionan Motherway looked to have salvaged extra-time prior to McNamee’s late heroics.
ST MARY'S EDENDERRY: C Hurley; L Flynn, C McNamee, M Kearney; S Moriarty (0-2, one 45), P Foy, J Dowdall; D Grehan, D Flynn (0-2); R Cafferey, M Nolan (0-2), C McMonagle (1-0); G Leech (0-6, four frees), S Doyle, R McNamee (0-2). Subs: A O'Connell for Dowdall (29).
COLÁISTE EOIN: L Ó Ceallaigh; C Ó Fainín, L Ó Treasaigh, S Ó Caomhánaigh; J Clintiún, E Ó Dochartaigh, C Ó Fearghail; R Mac Dáibhéid, O Breathnach; C Ó Cróinin (1-3), M MacDonncha, R Ó Meachair; O Ó Ruairc (1-1), D Ó Cathmhaoil (0-4, four frees), C Ó Néill (0-1). Subs: C Ó Ceallacháin for Ó Meachair (ht), M Ó Cathaláin for Ó Caomhánaigh (42), F Motherway (0-1) for Ó Cathaláin (55).
Referee: Fergal Kelly(Longford)
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