Aidan’s triumph in thrilling urban schools final

ST. AIDAN’S N.S. KENNEDY PARK N.S. 5-7 1-12

THE KNACK of getting goals at the right time proved crucial in the recent inaugural Rackard League urban schools final between St. Aidan’s of Enniscorthy and Kennedy Park from Wexford.

The venue was a sun-kissed Taghmon and the boys from St. Aidan’s possessed the golden touch as three first-half majors laid the foundations for their great victory.

They didn’t have things their own way however, as Kennedy Park opened the scoring after five minutes when Colm Roche whipped an under-hit free to the net to give them the perfect start.

Kennedy Park added to their tally during the first-half with a delightful Kaylem Harnett point from play and three strikes from impressive free-taker Eoghan Cassin.

St. Aidan’s had to rely on their cuteness in and around the square as both Jack Carroll and Jack Canavan raised green flags after goalmouth scrambles.

Jamie Pepper added a third St. Aidan’s goal after his high delivery drifted under the crossbar, meaning they were a little fortuitous to be two goals to the good at half-time.

Kennedy Park resumed the second-half with the wind at their backs and in Shane Roche had a full-back capable of striking the ball the length of the field.

However, every time Kennedy Park seemed to close the gap, St. Aidan’s responded and another Jack Carroll goal early in the second-half gave them further breathing space.

Eoghan Cassin continued to display accuracy from dead balls that wouldn’t be out of place at inter-county level as he finished with nine points without registering one wide.

However, despite the heroics of Cassin and Roche, it was to be St. Aidan’s day and when young Rhys Hogan-O’Gorman almost put a hole in the net with a close-range bullet near the end, they could finally breathe a little easier.

It was fitting that Brian Smith accepted the cup from Rackard League Chairman Kevin Waters, as he led by example throughout and his mazy Rory O’Connor-es- que runs from midfield were the launch pad for many attacks.

The Chairman was keen to highlight the impressive display of hooking and blocking from both teams before jubilant scenes followed once he presented Smith with the cup.

Well done to both teams on this fine exhibition.

St. Aidan’s: Adam Butler-Southall; Conor Redmond, Zack Creane, Danny Kerwick; Harry Goff, Evan Horan, Calum McVeigh; Thomas O’BrienCashe (0-1), Brian Smith (capt., 0-5, 1 ‘45, 1 free); Joseph Kelly, Jack Whiteley, Jamie Pepper (1-0); Jack Canavan (1-0), Jack Carroll (2-1), Rhys Hogan-O’Gorman (1-0). Subs. - Harvey Montague, Jack Leacy, Conall Doyle, James Lane, Thomas Cummins, Ben Walsh, Shane Quigley.

Kennedy Park: Cillian Rochford; Tadgh Berry, Shane Kehoe (0-1), Cian Whelan; Cian Lacey, Rory Gilbert, Seán McCleane; Kaylem Harnett (0-1), Darragh Kirwan; Rian O’Grady, Mark Tormey, Eoghan Cassin (0-10, 7 frees, 2 ‘45s); Kian Walsh, Colm Roche (1-0), Tommy Hillis. Subs. - Adam Goodison, Dougie O’Dowd, Eoghan McCleane, Jack O’Reilly, Jack Bergin, Jack Doyle, Thady Cuddihy, Mark Kauling, Billy Kelly, Josh Frayne.