St Mel’s College Longford crash out of the Leinster Senior ‘A’ Championship

Just four points (0-8 to 0-4) separated the sides at the break but there was no stopping the rampant Naas CBS side who crushed the challenge of St Mel’s College in the second half of the preliminary round of the Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Championship at the Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence, Hawkfield in Newbridge on Tuesday. 

Naas CBS . . . 2-19     St Mel’s College . . . 0-6 

It developed into a heavy defeat for St Mel’s who crashed out of the Tier 1 competition in a very tame manner at Manguard Park and all they could manage on the changeover was a miserable two points as the much superior opposition produced a powerful performance in cruising to a place in the quarter-finals. 

The Longford college were definitely in this game in the first half as they saw themselves lead after 10 minutes on a scoreline of 0-2 to 0-1, both points coming from James Hagan. They only trailed by 4 points at half-time and had numerous chances to narrow that gap before the break but couldn’t take advantage of them

After Naas defender Daniel Sargent smothered the goalbound effort of Mel’s forward Diarmuid O'Brien, the prominent wing back Niall McAndrews landed a point for Naas after the break.

But that score was quickly answered by Jack Finnegan at the other end for what would be the Longford side’s last score for 20 minutes as the home team pulled well clear.

Naas really upped their game in the second half as Sean Tully pointed before the star man Evan Cowser showed his class to score a goal and five points. 

Naas were reduced to 14 players with 10 minutes to go as the referee gave Aidan McGrane his marching orders for a disciplinary issue. 

Naas finished the game with two McAndrew points and another Cowser point from a free as their team reached the last 8. 

Lively full-forward Hagan fired over St Mel’s final score in this shattering defeat against a slick Naas side with the lethal Cowser the main difference. 

NAAS CBS: Mark Halligan; Oisin O'Neill, Tom Kilmartin, Daniel Sargent; Niall McAndrew (0-3), Cian McKevitt, Aidan McGrane; Jack Heneghan, Liam Kenny (0-2); Rian Curran, Matthew Galvin, Sean Tully (0-1); Euan Cowzer (1-8, 3 frees), Jack Reilly, Rory Thompson (1-5,  2 frees).

Subs:- Evan Cahill for R Curran (35 mins), Evan Lenehan for L Kenny (43 mins), Robbie Millham for J Reilly (43 mins), Stephen Murphy for M Galvin (53 mins).  

St MEL’S COLLEGE: Adam McCormack (Bornacoola); Ezekiel Da Costa (Longford Slashers), Billy Maguire (Longford Slashers), Cian Gilna (Killoe); Michael Gacquin (Clonguish), Mark Cooney (Clonguish), Cathal Lynch (Clonguish); Conor Doherty (Killoe), James Shannon (Longford Slashers);  Jack Finnegan (Grattan Óg, 0-1), Conor Reynolds (Bornacoola, 0-1), Michael Glennon (Clonguish); Diarmuid O’Brien (Longford Slashers), James Hagan (Clonguish, 0-3, 1 free), Adam McCarthy (Killoe, 0-1, free)

Subs used: Senan Buckley (Clonguish) for A McCarthy (37 mins), Eoghan Kiernan (Clonguish) for D O’Brien (50 mins). 

Referee: Brian O’Connor (Westmanstown Gaels, Co. Dublin).