Ard Scoil na Tríonóide Athy dethrone Naas CBS in Bosco Cup

The Athy school ran out 0-13 to 1-3 winners on the day

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.