Wesley's seniors held on for victory in the first of potentially four ties with Leinster rivals St Andrew’s in this school's season but the All-Ireland champions were made to work much harder than previously anticipated.
St Andrew’s had yet to see their full potential with several injuries robbing them of a consistent line-up. Irish U-18 goalkeeper Stephen West and Leinster stars Conor Stephens and Shane O’Halloran were all absent once more but the return of David Cole was instrumental in a thriller in Ballinteer, netting a second half double and almost nabbing a point in the last minutes.
But Rob Fitzgerald stood strong to keep Wesley’s perfect record in tact and into pole-position in the senior league standings. The win last Friday was Wesley's second in three days following a 5-1 win over Kilkenny, spearheaded by Peter English's hat-trick.
But Andrews had done their homework and placed an extra man on the goal-line to deny English’s first effort; Rory Anderson the defender to block brilliantly.
Waves of Wesley attacks, though, eventually bore fruit. Tom Samuel and Alan White’s out-touch combination gave Luke Chadwick the chance and he rounded Cian Booth for the first half’s only goal.
The YM made it 2-0 in the second half with a fortuitous effort before Cole and English exchanged corners for 3-1 inside the last ten minutes.
But Andrews' finished much the stronger, forcing a goal-line save from David McCrea before Cole made it a one-goal game. Geoff Garrett, Cole, Richard Sykes and David Watkins all had chances but Rob Fitzgerald stood firm for a 3-2 win.
The two schools faced off in all four schoolboy age categories last week with honours shared. St Andrew’s moved to within touching distance of taking the U-13 title with a 5-1 win over their nearest rivals to make it five wins from five to date.
At minor level, Wesley were the victors with a dramatic 3-2 win in Ballinteer. Wesley had enjoyed the better of the first half but second half goals from Uilliam Blytham and Chris Wallace for Andrews set up a tense finish. The Saints were unable to convert from a series of late corners to give Wesley the initiative in the Minor A division.At junior level, a clear leader has yet to emerge as the pair drew 2-2.
High School has impressed in the B leagues. At junior level, they have recorded four wins from four, edging past John Scottus, Wesley Bs, Andrews’ Bs and King’s Hospital. Across the other three age groups – all at B level – they have lost just once this term.
Results
Senior A: Wesley 3 St Andrews 2; Wesley 5 Kilkenny 1
Senior B: High School 4 King’s Hospital 0; High School 2 Wesley B 0
Junior A: St Andrews 2 Wesley 2
Junior B: High School 3 John Scottus 0; High School 5 Wesley B 1; High School 3 St Andrews B 0
Minor A: Wesley 3 St Andrews 2; Mount Temple 0 Wesley 5
Minor B: High School 2 St Andrews B 1; St Killians 3 High School 1; Mount Temple 1 Wesley B 1; St Killians 0 Mount Temple B 4
U-13 A: St Andrews 5 Wesley 1
U-13 B: High School 4 St Columba’s 1; High School 5 Wesley B 1
U-13 C: Mount Temple B 1 St Pat’s, Donabate 5
* A report on the Wesley vs St Andrew's game will appear in Thursday's Evening Herald. If you have any fixtures or results from school's games, please let me know at stevie_findlats@yahoo.com.
** For more photos from Friday's game, click here
Winter Aid - The Murmur of the Land
7 years ago
7 comments:
when we get the girls results?
There aren't any tables available for these competitions online are there?
1st year B result
Mt Temple 3
St Andrews 0
Minor A result
St Columbus 2
Mt Temple 3
Junior B result
Mt temple 3
St Andrews 1
Junior A
St. Andrew's 4
Sutton Park 0
Senior B: Results
St Marks 1
John Scottus 1
Senior B: Fixtures
St Marks v Dundalk :Friday
and
St Marks v High School :Monday
5:32pm, any chance you could mail me, stevie_findlats@yahoo.com the time and venue of the Mark's vs High School game on Monday?
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