Venue confirmed for Leinster final between Moate CS and Naas
The venue for the Leinster Schools Senior Football 'A' final between Moate Community School and defending champions Naas CBS has been confirmed.
O'Moore Park in Portlaoise will host the eagerly awaited decider this Friday, February 10, throw-in 3pm, with Moate CS expected to have plenty of support from both Westmeath and Offaly on the day.
With Allianz Hurling League games scheduled for this weekend, it took a while to confirm a suitable venue for the Bro. Bosco Cup final - but both sides are likely to be happy with the choice of Laois GAA headquarters.
Interestingly, Portlaoise was also the venue the last time Moate CS reached the final when St Peter's College, Wexford emerged as winners in 2017.
The last Westmeath school to win the trophy was St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge in 2020 when Luke Dempsey's charges, captained by Rhode's Aaron Kellaghan, overcame Naas CBS. The previous Westmeath winners were Athlone Community College in 2008.
Moate's previous representatives in the competition, Carmelite College, enjoyed wonderful success. In a glorious period with the late Fr Michael Cremin at the helm, the Carmelte won six Leinster titles and also lifted the Hogan Cup three times as All-Ireland champions.
Naas CBS have won three of the last four Leinster championships played. They defeated Marist College, Athlone in the 2018 final and retained the crown in 2019 by defeating Wicklow Schools (a combined team).
There was no championship played in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Naas edging out fellow Kildare side Maynooth SLS in last year's Leinster decider. Naas went on to defeat St Brendan's College, Killarney in a thrilling All-Ireland final and are strong favourites to retain their Leinster crown, having produced impressive displays from the start of this year's campaign.
This year's Moate Community School panel is listed below, with eight clubs represented (six from Westmeath and two from Offaly).
Moate CS panel
James Mitchell (Moate All Whites), aged 16, goalkeeper
Tom Gorman (Moate All Whites), 17, corner back
Donal Shirley (Tubber), 18, half back
Aodhan Curran (Moate All Whites), 17, half back
Adam Daly (Ballycumber), 18, half back
Adam Keane (Rosemount), 17, corner back
Cathal Guinan (Ballycumber), 17, full back
Eoin Bracken (Moate All Whites), 18, midfield
Padraig McLoughlin (Tubber), 17, half forward
Daragh Lowry (Moate All Whites), 18, midfield
Conaire Martin (Ballymore), 16, half forward
Tiernan O'Donovan (Caulry), 17, corner forward
David O'Reilly (Rosemount), 18, centre forward
Conor Fox (Tubber), 17, full forward
Ronan Murray (Moate All Whites), 17, corner forward
Jamie Rigney (Ballycumber), 17, corner back
Cian Rainey (Maryland), 18, corner back
Evan Daly (Castledaly), 18, centre forward
Dean O'Neill (Moate All Whites), 17, wing forward
Brian McCabe (Ballymore), 17, corner back
Alan Lynam (Caulry), 18, wing forward
Aaron Murphy (Caulry), 16, corner forward
Brendan McCormack (Caulry), 17, corner forward
Andrew Geoghegan (Rosemount), 17, corner back
Jack Lappin (Moate All Whites), 16, wing forward
Tadgh Heavin (Moate All Whites), 15, half back
Enda McLoughlin (Tubber), 16, half back
Cian Whitney (Moate All Whites), 15, half back
Harry Champ (Ballycumber), 17, half forward
Jack Cunningham (Castledaly), 18, corner forward.
Management: Peter Tormey (Bunbrosna), Niall Daly (Pádraig Pearses), John Murray (Moate All Whites).