Sensational comeback propels Marist to victory
Marist College, Athlone 2-12 St Mary’s, Edenderry 0-15
A sensational comeback, powered by two goals from Senan Baker, saw the Marist College overcome St Mary’s, Edenderry in the first round of this year’s Brother Bosco Cup (Leinster Schools SF 'A' championship) at Kiltoom this afternoon (Tuesday).
St Mary’s were favoured by a strong wind blowing down the St Brigid's pitch in the opening half and initially the Marist handled this well, sharing the first four points of the game equally. However, the Edenderry school took over from there and fired the next six in row, while Marist missed two goal chances, including a penalty from Baker that struck the foot of the post.
A half-time score of 0-11 to 0-4 became 0-13 to 0-4 when Conor Ennis and Josh O’Donoghue struck the first two points of the second half for St Mary’s.
However, a 39th-minute free from Baker set off a tremendous run of Marist scores. Matthew Whittaker and John Martin fired over points as the Athlone school shot five in five minutes.
Then the game’s big break came when Paddy Higgins seized on a short kickout to play in Baker, and the Caulry man made no mistake with an excellent low shot to cut the gap to a single point.
Tubberclair's Tom Kelleher and Baker followed up with sensational long range points to edge the Marist in front and while St Mary’s stayed in the game and twice drew level, by now Tadhg Baker, Conor Hand and Kelleher were dominating the battle around the middle third, aided by some clever play from Oisín Shortall in a sweeping role.
The tie was still in the balance up until the 58th minute when Kelleher won another turnover and set Baker off on a strong run down the left flank. When most players would have taken the option of a simple point, the roving attacker sensed there was more on and he broke through the Edenderry cover and fired into the roof of the net to make sure of the win.
SCORERS - Marist College: Senan Baker 2-4 (0-3f), Matthew Whittaker 0-3, Tom Kelleher 0-2, Conor Hand, Paddy Higgins and John Martin 0-1 each.
St Mary’s, Edenderry: Josh O’Donoghue and Seán O’Haire (3f, 0-1 ’45) 0-4 each; Fionn O’Grady (1 mark) and Páidi Farrell (1f) 0-2 each; Conor Ennis, Michael Brady and Mark McCarthy 0-1 each.
- Kevin Egan