THE MARIST CLAIM THEIR FIRST LEINSTER "A" FOOTBALL TITLE

Leinster U-14 Final Marist Athlone: 5-13 Portlaoise C.B.S: 2-08

This Leinster U-14 A final between Marist College and CBS Portlaoise was played on St. Loman's Pitch, Mullingar on Wednesday last. There was no changes on the Marist starting team which defeated St Pat's of Navan. The Marist played in the first half wth a slight breeze in their favour and faced up to a blinding sun. The Marist got off to a dream start with a point coming straight away from Alan Sheehan and then immediatly afterwards Joe Harte found the target while surrounded by many Portlaoise defenders. Minutes later Darren Costello netted from close range and Alan Sheehan scored two more points from frees but Portlaoise responded by knocking over three points. Thanks to their strong mid-field of Ciaran O'Connor and Neil Lynch the ball rarely entered the Marist's own half. The Athlone side remained in the driving position for the rest of the first half and the opposition only managed to score four points. The Marist took every scoring opportunity with accurate points coming from Alan Sheehan, Darren Costello and Conor Cosgrove to leave Portlaoise trailing by ten points at the half time whistle. Early in the second half the Marist found their hard work rewarded with two points from Alan Sheehan and another from Conor Cosgrove. Then in the 14th minute things got even better when the ball rebounded off the cross bar from an Eoin McCormack shot and found the safe hands of Alan Sheehan who drove it into the top corner. A minute later the Athlone side were awarded a penalty after a harsh tackle on Conor Cosgrove and again Alan blasted the ball into the back of the net. Minutes from time Portlaoise pulled back a goal. A minute later they were awarded a penalty but Marist goalie James Martin made a spectacular save. The Marist came back on the attack again with Darren Costello making some intelligent touches including a high floated ball into Eoin McCormack who fisted past the Portlaoise goalkeeper. The Marist kept possession until the final whistle finishing with an advantage of 5-13 to 2-08, becoming the first ever Athlone team to win a Leinster A-title in Gaelic football. James Martin , Niall Walker , Paul Larkin , Adrian Burns ,Niall Grehan , Michael Gavin , Ciaran O'Connor , NeilLynch , Alan Sheehan (2-08) , Eoin McCormack (1-0) , Kevin Toohey , Joesph Harte (1-0) , Darren Costello (1-03) , Conor Cosgrove (0-2). Subs : R. Blaine , A. Shiel , C. Coughlan , I. Lacey , S. Fagan , T. O'Connor , D. Clarke , P. McCormack , D. Cuddy , D. Parker.

By: Kevin Harkins.