Dubs’ interpro success

MARINO College’s Dylan Grimes was one of nine Dubliners who played their part for the Leinster Schools team that retained the interprovincial honours in fine style as they snatched victory at the death to take the title from Munster on goal difference.
He was joined in the panel by a trio of players from Clonkeen College as well as St Benildus’s Andrew Brennan, Lucan CBS pair Ciaran Kelly and Conor Kane, St Mac Dara’s Conor Kearns and St Colmcille’s Kevin Coffey
Manager John McShane was delighted with the team’s performance which saw his side put five past the Connacht students.
Two goals within the last six minutes ensured the Leinster celebrations with Jamie Aherne bagging a wonderful hat-trick for his side. Leinster’s phenomenal record in this competition remains as they secured their 12th title in 15 years.
Leinster were victorious against Ulster in the opening game on Friday evening with a goal in each half courtesy of Coffey and Ryan Byrne.
The second outing saw Connacht win 2-0 against a sluggish Munster side as Gary Higgins and a Paul Doyle penalty gave Alan Murphy’s crew the perfect start to their campaign.
Saturday proved a mixed bag for some of the provinces as Leinster’s great start was shortlived. A brace of goals from the talented Aaron Drinan and Mark Buckley ensured a 3-0 win for the Munster lads as Leinster were left pondering what happened.
Munster subsequently beat Ulster on Sunday, leaving Leinster needing to beat the western province in the final game of the competition to reclaim the title.
And McShane’s side settled in superbly and were three up in the first 15 minutes. Aherne netted first while Gavin Howard converted from the spot as Conor Kane scored a screamer to take it to 3-0 at the interval.
Aherne’s hat-trick was secured in the last six minutes of the game, ensuring the lads finished with a flourish. A dejected Munster looked on as their title hopes vanished for another season. A brilliant showcase of football from the reigning champions to secure another marvellous victory.
Off the back of the tournament, a provisional Ireland schools selection will be invited to attend trials in the coming weeks. A final squad of 16 will be selected for the Centenary Shield campaign which commences on March 17 against Northern Ireland.
The international management team of Paddy O’Reilly, Ollie Horgan and William O’Connor will have a difficult task to whittle down a provisional squad to attend trials at the end of the month.