Naas CBS bring Leinster Junior 'A' Football Championship back to Kildare

Leinster PPS 2024-2025 (Leinster) Junior Football A Final

Naas CBS 4-15

St Benildus 0-3

Naas CBS dominated Dublin’s St Benildus College to become Leinster Post-Primary Schools Junior ‘A’ Football champions.

After a cagey opening 10 minutes with just a point for each side, the Kildare school got their break and never looked back. A short kick-out from Benildus was intercepted by centre-forward Rian Curran and the Raheens man found clubmate Rory Thompson in all kinds of space.

Thompson looked unfazed as a huge moment was passed into his hands and he rifled the ball into the top left corner of the net.

Naas CBS kicked on with points from all over the park before a second goal before the half-time put their opponents in the rear view mirror. 

Kill’s Jack Reilly, who hit 2-4 on the day, was slipped through on goal and, after having his initial effort brilliantly saved, spun sharply before finding the net. 

Naas CBS led 2-5 to 0-1 at the break and their second half showing was no different as the deserving winners added further points to their tally on a regular basis.

Naas CBS finished 24 points clear in this final at 4-15 to 0-3.

Scorers: Naas CBS, Jack Reilly 2-4 (0-1 frees), Rory Thompson 1-3 (0-1 frees),  Rian Curran 1-0, Max Sargent 0-2, Oisin McAfee 0-2, Hugh Kelly 0-1, Niall McAndrew 0-1, Callum Cowzer 0-1, Ronan Walsh 0-1.

St Benildus College, Luca Manicle 0-1 (0-1 frees), Pearse Glendon 0-1, Alex Deally 0-1.

NAAS CBS: Ryan Sargent; Colin Parker, Daniel Sargent, Liam Mescal; Niall McAndrew, Aran Martin, Cathal Harris; Hugh Kelly, Oisin McAfee; Matthew Galvin, Rian Curran, Max Sargent; Callum Cowzer, Rory Thompson, Jack Reilly. Subs: Mark McCarthy for Matthew Galvin (43 minutes), Ronan Walsh for Rian Curran (45 minutes), Harry Ward for Cathal Harris (50 minutes), Fionn Stewart Byrne for Oisin McAfee (50 minutes).

ST BENILDUS: Ronan Murray; Davin Tighe, Rhys Sutherland, Oscar Palmer; Philip Moore, Pearse Glendon, Alex Deally; Tommy Dillon, Albie O'Callaghan; Conn McCluskey, Luca Manicle, Donal O'Meara; Luke Lynch, Billy McDonnell (capt.), Andy McDonnell. Subs: Jack Byrne to Phillip Moore (28 minutes), Ciaran Whelan for Andy McDonnell (36 minutes), James Lawless for Luke Lynch (42 minutes), Chris Cunningham for Davin Tighe (54 minutes), Jack Byrne for Aaron Corrigan (56 minutes).

Referee: John Dunning (Dublin)

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