Valiant Moate CS go close but Naas retain Leinster crown

GAA: Leinster Schools Senior Football 'A' final

Naas CBS 0-11 Moate CS 0-9

Despite a hugely valiant effort, Moate Community School lost out to defending champions Naas CBS in the Leinster Schools SF 'A' final at Moore Park, Portlaoise today (Friday).

Trailing by five points early in the second half, Moate CS battled back in spirited fashion and left Naas - also the reigning All-Ireland champions - clinging on to a one-point lead.

But the Westmeath outfit was unable to draw level and Ryan Sinkey's point following a counter attack proved the insurance score.

In a pulsating encounter played in a raucous atmosphere, Moate made a bright start and forced a number of turnovers early on. The challengers led 0-3 to 0-1 by the seventh minute, with Eoin Bracken (free), Tubber's Conor Fox and David O'Reilly (free) on target. However, they were outscored by 0-7 to 0-1 for the remainder of the half.

After Naas drew level at 0-3 apiece, with Callum Barrett (who wasn't on the original listed starting fifteen) among the scorers, Donal Shirley surged forward from defence to put Moate back in front. Rosemount's David O'Reilly was winning plenty of primary possession at midfield, but Moate found it difficult to translate it into scores.

With Stephen Kelly, Barrett and Sinkey scoring two points each, Naas led 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. That led was increased to five (0-10 to 0-5) by the 36th minute, but Moate refused to surrender.

By the 52nd minute, it was 0-10 to 0-9 and a couple of chances of an equaliser were missed, before Sinkey had the final say.

Scorers - Naas CBS: R Sinkey (1f) and C Lennox (2f) 0-3 each; S Kelly and C Barrett 0-2 each; T Kelly 0-1. Moate CS: D O'Reilly 0-4 (3f); C Fox, D Shirley, T O'Donovan, A Curran and E Bracken (f) 0-1 each.

Naas CBS: Fintan Quinn; Niall Cramer, Charlie Murphy, Cian Boran; Daniel Hamill, Eoin Lawlor, Evan O'Briain; Austin Brennan, Tom Kelly; Fionn McCarthy, Carl Lennox, Callum Barrett; Stephen Kelly, Evan Gilmartin, Ryan Sinkey. Subs used: Jamie McGuirk for Murphy (inj., 26 mins); Daire Gilmartin for E Gilmartin (34); Cian O'Reilly for McCarthy (48); Finn Ryan for Barrett (56).

Moate Community School: James Mitchell; Tom Gorman, Adam Keane, Cathal Guinan; Donal Shirley, Adam Daly, Aodhan Curran; David O'Reilly, Daragh Lowry; Conaire Martin, Eoin Bracken, Padraig McLoughlin; Tiernan O'Donovan, Conor Fox, Ronan Murray. Sub used: Dean O'Neill for Martin (46 mins).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).