Ard Scoil Chiaráin build on Leinster success as All-Ireland final beckons

Árd Scoil Chiaráin of Clara secured their place in the All-Ireland Schools SF 'D' final with a wonderful win over Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair on Wednesday in Sligo (final score: 1-9 to 0-8).

Myles Handy was the goalscorer as the team overcame the loss through injury of Marcas Dalton, setting up a final on Saturday week against St Joseph’s of Spanish Point, Clare.

Not unlike the club team in the town, it’s not unheard of for Ard Scoil Chiaráin to go through a long quiet spell, only to bounce back all of a sudden with a strong team capable of competing for honours. Opportunities like this don’t come along too often, so hopefully the students of the school are able to seize this chance and add an All-Ireland title to the roll of honour, and provide a further shot in the arm to Clara and Offaly football in the process.

With Ard Scoil Chiaráin now having an All-Ireland final to look forward to, no doubt there will be a buzz of anticipation around the school.

Ard Scoil Chiaráin had too much firepower for a resilient Ardgillan CC side in the Leinster Schools SF ‘D’ final recently, played in Kinnegad in front of a full stand of enthusiastic supporters.

Buoyed by the breeze, Ard Scoil Chiaráin came out of the blocks at a lightning pace and two early goals put Ardgillan on the back foot. The first goal came from industrious midfielder Conor Doyle, fisted to the net after Marcas Dalton stole a march off the defence and then squared his pass. The second was a fortuitous goal that arrived two minutes later after Barry Egan took on a shot from all of 30 metres out, landing into the top left corner. Luck or precision, who knows?

It was a fairytale start for Ard Scoil but as the game settled down, scores were difficult to find for both sides. Both teams defended well during this period and it wasn’t until the 14th minute that the next score would come courtesy of Liam Flynn, a tidy effort while falling backwards. Minutes later, Doyle landed another point after a spell of support play that typified their performance.

There were 22 minutes on the clock before Ardgillan registered their first point, a big free into the breeze from physically strong full-forward Callum Johnston. This would turn out to be their only score of the first half. While they had chances, the breeze and the Ard Scoil Chiaráin defence were proving difficult to overcome. Flynn kicked another point from a free after Ben Kennedy was fouled, and the last score of the half was kicked by rock solid full-back Christian McKeon, an elegant strike from the right.

The second half opened with another well taken Flynn point from close range. With the breeze at their backs, the Balbriggan side needed to get some scores to close the gap. Again, the menacing Johnston was the provider, scoring a 33rd-minute goal that was just what Ardgillan needed if they were to mount a comeback.

But Ard Scoil Chiaráin were equipped for the task at hand and it was then that they really stood tall. A superb response of three points in a row made sure that they kept their distance. The first came from Ben Kennedy (a sweetly struck point) and then Greg Byrne added another (after good play from Ciaran McKeon). When Kennedy unleashed his shot to the net, it left Ard Scoil in a great position to see out the victory and Doyle added their last point after a patient build-up.

Ardgillan did respond with three points from Conor Hamilton, the first a fine effort from play, and two well taken frees. While they tried hard until the end, the Ard Scoil defence holding firm.

The Clara school was full value for the win as their quick start helped them settle and kick on from there. When the final whistle went there was elation on the faces of the Ard Scoil Chiaráin players and supporters, and it was a welcome victory for the strong GAA following in Clara.

Tommie Bracken was solid in goals and his kickouts were notably accurate. The defence were solid and resilient throughout and were well marshalled by the McKeon brothers, Christian and Daragh. Ard Scoil were dominant at midfield, with the omnipresent Conor Doyle and Ciaran McKeon getting through a mountain of work.

In their forward line, Ben Kennedy and Liam Flynn were clinical in front of goal. Barry Egan led from the front while Marcas Dalton was direct and effective until his early exit due to injury, but when called upon Greg Byrne really stepped up.

All in all, it was a huge team effort in which every player played their part. The subs that came in all made a big difference and special mention must go to Scott Griffith who made a few eye-catching plays late on.

Ard Scoil Chiaráin, Clara (Leinster final team): Tommie Bracken; Kevin Minnock, Christian McKeon, Ryan Carroll; Ronan Touhey, Daragh McKeon, Conor Taylor; Conor Doyle, Ciaran McKeon; James Cullen, Marcas Dalton, Myles Handy; Ben Kennedy, Barry Egan, Liam Flynn. Subs used: Greg Byrne for Dalton (inj., 14 mins); Scott Griffith for Flynn (inj., 42); Brian Hogan for Cullen (52); Aaron Kelly for Handy (54); Hugh Hilliard for Taylor (56). Rest of panel: Evan Cronin, James Dunne, Kevin Gavin, Luke Finn, Ciabhan Dunne, Brian Buckley, Ben Melia.

Ard Scoil Chiaráin (All-Ireland semi-final team): Tommie Bracken; Kevin Minnock, Christian McKeon, Ryan Carroll; Ronan Touhey, Daragh McKeon, Conor Taylor; Conor Doyle, Ciaran McKeon; James Cullen, Scott Griffith, Myles Handy; Greg Byrne, Barry Egan, Ben Kennedy.