Leinster retain title with five goal thriller

October 4, 2015

LEINSTER SCHOOLS retained their Interprovincial honours this afternoon in fine style as they snatched victory at the death to take the title from Munster on goal difference. Manager John McShane was delighted with the teams performance which saw his side put five past the Connacht students. Two goals within the last six minutes ensured the Leinster celebrations with Jamie Aherne (Confey College) bagging a wonderful hat-trick for his side. Leinster’s phenomenal record in this competition remains as they secured their 12th title in 15 years. 

Leinster were victorious against Ulster in the opening game on Friday evening with a goal in each half courtesy of Kevin Coffey (St. Colmcille’s CS) and Ryan Byrne (Coláiste Lorcain, Kildare). The second outing saw Connacht win 2-0 against a sluggish Munster side as Gary Higgins (Ballyhaunis CS) and a Paul Doyle (Davitt College) penalty gave Alan Murphy’s crew the perfect start to their campaign.

Saturday proved a mixed bag for some of the provinces as Leinster’s great start was short-lived.  A brace of goals from the talented Aaron Drinan (Carrigaline CS) and Mark Buckley (MICC Dunmanway) ensured a 3-0 win for the Munster lads as Leinster were left pondering what happened! It was a solid performance from Derek O’Brien’s squad as they overcame the disappointment of Friday’s loss. The Connacht and Ulster encounter proved a more competitive affair as Thierry Baba (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar) got the winner against an industrious Ulster outfit, putting Murphy’s men in the driving seat with 2 wins from 2.

Sunday morning’s showdown saw Munster duo Aaron Drinan and Mark Buckley get on the scoresheet again, ensuring a 2-0 win against Ulster. The win meant four points on the board for Munster, honours even with Connacht, same goal difference but ahead on goals scored. It was all resting on the final game as Leinster lined out against an inform Connacht. McShane’s side settled in well and were three up in the first fifteen minutes. Aherne netted first while Gavin Howard (Clonkeen College) converted from the spot as Conor Kane (Coláiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS) scored a screamer to take it to 3-0 at the interval. Jamie Aherne’s hat-trick was secured in the last six minutes of the game, ensuring the lads finished with a flourish. A dejected Munster looked on as their title hopes vanished for another season.

INTERNATIONAL SELECTION 

The International management team of Paddy O’Reilly (Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun), Ollie Horgan (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny) and William O’Connor (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana) will have a difficult task to whittle down a provisional squad to attend trials at the end of the month. O’Reilly is also conscious of the fact that a number of key players were unavailable at the weekend due to injury, club commitments and trials abroad.

A provisional panel will be invited to attend trials in the coming weeks.  A final squad of sixteen will be selected for the Centenary Shield campaign which commences on March 17 against Northern Ireland. 

PROVINCIAL PANELS: 

Leinster: Liam Scales & Thomas Rowan (both Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow), Conor Kearns (St. Mac Dara’s Community School, Templeogue), Ciaran Kelly & Conor Kane (both Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan CBS), Owen McCormack (CBS Kilkenny), Kevin Coffey (St. Colmcille’s CS), Dylan Grimes (Marino College), Tony Archbold (Salesian College, Celbridge), Jamie Aherne (Confey College, Leixlip), Gavin Howard, Stephen Hanley & Cathal Gillen (all Clonkeen College),  Andrew Brennan (St. Benildus College), Ryan Byrne (Colaiste Lorcain, Kildare), John Martin (Presentation De La Salle, Bagnelstown).

Management: John McShane (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Fintan Sheridan (St. Kevin’s CC, Clondalkin), Albert Sugg (St. Kilian’s Deutsche Schule), Stephen O’Reilly (GK Coach)

Munster: David Coffey & Charlie Fleming (both Coláiste Muire, Cobh), Garan Manley (Midelton CBS), Killian Brouder (Desmond College, Newcastle West), Conor McCarthy (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Cork), Seán Cooke, Aaron Drinan, Andrew Kingston & Alec Byrne (all Carrigaline CS), Ross Welch (Ashton Community School), Adam Horgan (Glanmire CC), Mark Buckley (MICC Dunmanway), Justin Croke (Mount Sion, Waterford), Alan Murphy (Scoil Mhuire agus Íde), Kyle Doherty (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir), Clyde O’Connell (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick)

Management: Derek O’Brien (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Gary Power (FAI DO, Waterford), Conor Coad, Jamie Buckley, AJ Murray, Seamus McWalter (Physio) 

Ulster:  Jason McCallion (Moville CC), Seán Friel (Deele College, Raphoe), Ciaran Kelly, Luke Nelis & Shane Blaney (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Lee McColgan & Jason McGee (PCC Falcarragh), Sam Todd & Cathal Farren (Carndonagh CS), Gareth Doherty & Seán McBride (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Adrian Delap & Conor Gormley (Loreto CS, Milford), Eoin Slevin (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Stephen Corrigan (St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan), Billy Joe Banda (Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe)

Management: Paul Browne (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Paddy Carr (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana)

Connacht: Adam Byrne (St. Louis CS), Evan Murphy (Coláiste Éinde, Gaillimh), Oisin Connolly (Ballinrobe CS, Mayo), Paul Doyle & Fintan Borotto (Davitt College, Castlebar), Shay Doherty & Ruadhan Feeney (both Summerhill College, Sligo), Thierry Baba (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar), Brian Morley, Garry Higgins, Cathal Carney (Ballyhaunis CS), Kevin Cahalan (Scoil Iognaid, Gaillimh), Coyne (Coláiste Chroi Mhuire, An Spideal), Dara Mulgannon (Colaiste na Coiribe), Ryan O’Donoghue (Our Lady’s SS, Belmullet), Lorcan Callaghan (St. Mary’s College, Ballyasdare) 

Management: Alan Murphy (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Alex Lee (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Kevin Murphy (St. Joseph’s College, Galway)

RESULTS 

Friday, October 2

Leinster 2-0 Ulster 

Connacht 2-0 Munster

Saturday, October 3

Munster 3-0 Leinster

Connacht 1-0 Ulster

Sunday, October 4

Ulster 0-2 Munster

Connacht 0-5 Leinster

TABLE 

Roll of Honour: Boys’ Interprovincial Tournament Winners