Senior A Football Champions:
A hotly contested Senior A Schools Final took place in County Headquarters Aughrim on Thursday 2nd May 2019: Scoil Chonglais of Baltinglass against Presentation College of Bray. The game had it all, great skill and determination was on show from two well matched sides.
It was Scoil Chonglais who got off to a flying start in Aughrim and looked very impressive stunning the Bray defence with quick accurate ball into the full forward line of Jack Hanlon, Sean Doody and Jordan Deans. It was Jack Hanlon who was causing most of the trouble and was simply unstoppable with the ball in hand to score an early goal and point. This was followed by a 2 – 7 to Presentation College Bray 1 – 1 after around 18 minutes. Bray re organised their defense and quickly got to grasp with the game. It was score for score for a while as Bray took the lead. But it was Scoil Chonglais keeper William Rogers who kept the score board ticking, scoring 4 points from frees.
Half time came with Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass at 2 – 7 and Presentation College Bray at 2 - 4 The second half started with Scoil Chonglais up by 3 points. Bray were down by 4 points with around 6 minutes to go. Bray then got a point to get within 3 points and then 2 minutes into injury time, disaster struck for Scoil Chonglais as Bray hit the back of the net to level up the game. A thrilling end to the game saw both teams out on their feet. Who ever wanted it more would clench the last winning score. A loose ball around the Bray 45-yard line saw a huge collision with Bray’s centre back having to be replaced while Dino for Scoil Chonglais got up and played on, From the throw up Jordan Deans (Captain) tipped the ball to Tadhg O’Toole who selflessly passed it out to his mid field team mate Patrick Whelan who kicked straight between the posts, Scoil Chonglais were up by 1 with 30 seconds to play.
Finally, thankfully for the west siders the ref blew the whistle to finish the game. It ended Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass 2 – 13, Presentation College Bray 3 – 9
It was18 years since Scoil Chonglais had last won the illusive Senior A Wicklow Senior A Final. It was also fitting that the Manager of that team 18 years ago was there to celebrate in the win. Ken Brown congratulated the lads after the game and warned them not to leave it another 18 years until they win it again!
Scoil Chonglais:
- William Rogers: (not often can a keeper out score many on the field. His accuracy from the place ball was a deciding factor in the outcome of this game. Scoring a whopping 4 frees and clearing anything that came into his area was a marvel to see. A real turning point in the career for this promising keeper as he rallied his defenders and led by example).
- Darren Walsh (unlucky not to get a game today. However, he played his part in earlier wins.)
- Tadhg O’Toole (the off the field “Captain”. Tadhg’s work rate, honesty and un-stoppable desire to win is contagious. He brings so much positivity and professionalism to any team. His modesty gives the lime light to others around him. However, the engine of the middle third of the field never stopped until the final whistle blew.)
- Emilio Faulkner (at corner back was tight and first to many a ball, keeping the Bray full forward line to minimal scores
- Padhraig Bolger (at half forward worked his socks off. His speed and accuracy led to Bray having to start dropping back more men to try stop the attack)
- Kyle Byrne (as good a full back that is out there, his reading of the game and speed to the ball causes any full forward to wonder will they ever get a touch of the ball?)
- Paddy Whelan (asked to play midfield and that he did. Was many spectators man of the match with his great fielding and accurate point kicking, it was fitting that he kicked the winning score after all his hard work.)
- Jordan Deans (Captain on the field and leads by example, was involved in the early onslaught getting the huge lead before being required to put in a huge shift at midfield. A promising talent and great leader.)
- Senan Molloy (showed no fear at centre back on a centre forward who was physically much taller and stronger but Senan showed that it is not size that wins football matches and out smarted his opposite number. He kept control of a half back line that was dragged all over the field by a very strong Bray half forward line. )
- Jason Kenny (a very talented half back that worked hard on a very tricky half forward. Showed great determination in winning many dirty ball.)
- Sean Doody (played corner forward due to injury but gave another huge performance. One of the leaders of the team and kept everyone around him positive and working. Sean said “trust me” to the management that his injury was okay and they did. They were glad they did as he commanded anywhere he went on the field.)
- Alan Barrett (Probably his best performance this year. Moved out to centre half forward to do a job and he did just that. He kept his man from attacking while using his quick side step to set up attacks for Scoil Chonglais)
- Jason Sinnott (worked very well in the half forward line, kept the Bray defence honest with his scoring and also physical display)
- Dino Marcu (when you want an impact sub against a very physical Bray team this is it, came on won so much dirty ball and distributed well, his bravery in the tackle ended up with Scoil Chonglais getting the ball back to get the winning score)
- Karl Furlong (as good a half back you will see, was covering a lot of ground tracking back and getting good ball
up to the forwards)
- Conor Carty (unlucky not to get a game but with a keeper scoring 4 points it is a tough ask taking him off)
- Jack Hanlon (Man of the Match performance, kicked well and brought Scoil Chonglais to a 9 point lead within 20 minutes)
- Jack Fleming (Came on and used his pace to test the Bray half back line)
- Cian Leonard (came on corner back and made some great interceptions while controlling the full back line for the last few plays)
- Jason Steed (played corner back, was intelligent with his play and kept his man under pressure)
- Tommy Keogh (came on and got a crucial score while winning some tough ball in the forward line)
- Fionn Fidgeon (played his part in earlier games)
- William Brien (trained hard all year, will get his turn next year)
- Robert Brien (trained hard all year and worked will with Rogers in the goal, will get his turn next year)
- Mikey Byrne (again worked hard during the year and too will get his opportunity next year.)
- Jack Nolan (was unlucky not to get a game and probably deserved one with his commitment throughout the year. Again a promising talent for next year)
- Evan Frahill (The physical Bray side did not suit Evan who plays his best in open free flowing football)
- Max Hart (was a great addition to the team and kept great positivity around the squad)
- Patrick Reilly (a late call up, one of only 3 third years on the team, another great talent for the next few years)
- Dylan Sheridan (came on for Sean Doody and won some great ball from kick-outs a big ask for a young man, but he proved up for the challenge)
Written by Paul Rooney and Lee Byrne (Managers)