Naas CBS 0-9
Marist College, Athlone 0-7
Kevin O’Brien reports from Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, Tullamore
NAAS CBS DELIVERED the first Leinster Post Primary Schools A title in their history with a deserved two-point win over Marist College, Athlone.
Nass CBS lost midfielder Shane Allen to a second yellow card in the 56th minute but they defended well against late period of pressure from the Athlone side to secure the trophy.
They also became the first Kildare side to land provincial honours since St Thomas’ from Newbridge did it in 1923.
It meant a third final defeat for Marist College in five years after their previous losses in 2014 and 2016, while it was their fifth loss in the final in total.
Marist College enjoyed an impressive run to the final and defeated the Offaly Schools combination by three points in the semi-final, but they were well below par this afternoon.
Naas CBS joint captains Colm Joyce and Killian Thompson receive the Bro. Bosco Cup #LeinsterChampions pic.twitter.com/lqDKcQBUjC
— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) March 10, 2018
This was by no means a classic but the Kildare students were that bit more clinical up front at key stages of the game with Darragh Kirwan, who scored three points, particularly impressive.
Rian Boran bossed midfield while Jack Sargent and Cathal Daly were excellent on the half-back line for the victors.
Naas CBS were more efficient in the opening half and led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval.
Marist College hit six wides in a nervy first-half but they improved significantly after the break.
St Brigid’s youngster Josh Beaumont, who passed a late fitness test before the game, arrived off the bench at half-time and dispatched two points to bring the Athlone college level by the 51st minute.
With the momentum against them, Naas CBS managed to turn the tide back in their favour with substitute Aaron Deegan and Kirwan on target to seal the win.
Scorers for Naas CBS: Darragh Kirwan 0-3, Colm Joyce 0-2 (0-2f), Rian Boran 0-1, Killian Thompson 0-1, Aaron Deegan 0-1, Luke Griffin 0-1.
Scorers for Marist College, Athlone: Shane Cunnane 0-2 (0-2f), Kieran Colclough 0-2 (0-1f), Josh Beaumont 0-2 (0-1f), Ciaran Sugrue 0-1.
Naas CBS
1. David Morrissey (Naas, Kildare)
2. Eoghan Prizeman (Naas, Kildare)
3. Conall O’Gallchobhair (Blessington, Wicklow)
4. Jack Hamill (Raheens, Kildare)
5. Cathal Daly (Naas, Kildare)
6. Jack Sargent (Eadestown, Kildare)
7. Brian Stynes (Naas, Kildare)
8. Ian Blackburne (Naas, Kildare)
9. Rian Boran (Naas, Kildare)
10. Barry Kehoe (Naas, Kildare)
11. Tony O’Connor (Two Mile House, Kildare)
12. Killian Thompson (Raheens, KIldare)
14. Luke Griffin (Naas, Kildare)
15. Darragh Kirwan (Naas, Kildare)
13. Colm Joyce (Naas, Kildare)
Subs
17. Stephen Davis (Ballymore, Kildare) for Prizeman (blood sub, 7 – 8)
17. Davis for O’Gallchobhair (26)
23. Aaron Deegan (Ballymore, Kildare) for Kehoe (50)
18. Liam Broderick (Ballymore, Kildare) for BLackburne (54)
20. Harry Carroll (Eadestown, Kildare) for O’Connor (62)
Marist College, Athlone
1. Cathal Dolan (Castledaly, Westmeath)
2. Stephen McGonagle (Tubberclair, Westmeath)
3. Pearse Frost (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
4. Keelan COnnor (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
7. Patrick McGettigan (Athlone, Westmeath)
6. Eoin Mulvihill (Garrycastle, Westmeath)
5. Ian O’Rourke (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
14. Shane Cunnane (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
9. Shane Allen (Athlone, Westmeath)
10. Fred Kelleher (Tubberclair, Westmeath)
8. Kieran Colclough (Athlone, Westmeath)
12. Sean Dowd (Athlone, Westmeath)
13. Tom Carroll (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
11. Eoghan Derwin (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
15. Ciaran Sugrue (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
Subs
21. Josh Beaumont (Athlone, Westmeath) for Kelleher (ht)
24. Cian McBrearty (St Brigid’s, Roscommon)
18. Donagh Prendergast (Athlone, Westmeath) for Dowd (57)
19. Billy McDonnell (St Brigid’s, Roscommon) for O’Rourke (61)
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)
Well Done Naas CBS !!!
Marist deserve a win. Was on a loosing team many years ago.