Ardscoil Ris will play Naas CBS in the Leinster Schools Under 16.5 Football final on Wednesday 6th April at 1pm. The game will be played at Leixlip GAA Club. All support welcome!
Here is an article written in a local Kildare newspaper by Larry Cooney after our success against Maynooth in the Dublin Final:

Dublin P.P Schools (JFC) ‘A’ Final
Ardscoil Ris’ second-half surge denies brave Maynooth S.I.S.
By Larry Cooney at GAA – NGDC, Abbottstown
Ardscoil Ris – Griffith Avenue 2-10 Maynooth SLS 1-9
Ardscoil Ris are this year’s Dublin (JFC) ‘A’ Schools champions after they overcame a brave Maynooth SLS by four points at a sun-drenched Abbottstown last Wednesday afternoon. A 49th minute goal from Donagh Fay finally paved the way for the Griffith Avenue-based Dublin school after a very entertaining and competitive contest. The winners made the early running and were enjoying a four-point lead before a late Michael Stokes goal and point from James Moriaty had the scores level at 1-5 each at half-time.
Winners make early breakthrough
Although Maynooth SLS won the throw-in it was the winners who were first off the mark on the 3G pitch. Playing into the Snugborough Road end with a cross-wind favouring neither team, corner forward Donagh Fay opened the scoring in the third minute. But although a David Eustace point tied the scores three minutes later Ardscoil Ris were already beginning to dominate possession and set the pace. Speedy wing back Ciaran O’Connor, who provided Fay with an assist for the opening score, was also joining their attack at every possible opportunity.
And after nine minutes it was no great surprise when Ardscoil Ris’ early pressure paid off with a breakthrough goal from Colin McSweeney set up by team captain Cathal Baldwin. But Maynooth SLS were far from rattled by this setback and responded with a brace of unanswered points in two minutes from Michael Stokes after fourteen minutes.
However Maynooth SLS were also most grateful to goal-keeper Joshua Flood a minute later for his full-length save which denied Ronan O’Neill a second goal for the winners and conceded the first of three 45s for them in the first half. Two minutes later Ardscoil Ris centre back Sean Keogh played Ciaran O’Connor through on goal only to see his effort come crashing back off the crossbar. However Cathal Baldwin soon had a second point for Ardscoil Ris before full forward James Moriarty replied for Maynooth SLS at the end of a menacing run from Michael Stokes after twenty minutes.
But three unanswered points from the winners including two pointed frees from Ryan Murphy had them in a commanding position as half-time beckoned. However Maynooth SLS always threatened to score on the counter-attack and from a length-of-the-field five-man move the Kildare boys scored the goal of the match through their top scorer Michael Stokes on the half-hour mark.
From the resultant kick-out Maynooth SLS were immediately back on the offensive and from a long range effort from midfield team captain Niall Cullen tied the scores on the stroke of half-time: Ardscoil Ris 1-5 Maynooth SLS 1-5.
Maynooth SLS fail to build on early pressure after taking the lead
Having finished the first half with the momentum Maynooth SLS were hoping to take over where they left off at the restart. They also replaced wing back Cathal Flynn with Roan Hunter-Lynam at half-time and it did not take long for the Maynooth clubman to make an impact to put the Kildare school into the lead for the first time in the game in the thirty-seventh minute.
But although that slender lead was short-lived after Donagh Fay equalised after only three minutes, Maynooth SLS were back in the lead for the last time a minute later through another Michael Stokes point. But again Ardscoil Ris had the perfect reply from full forward Harry Curley.
Sadly for Maynooth SLS after some wayward shooting resulting in five second-half wides, the winners eventually took control approaching the crucial midway point of the half. After centre back Sean Keogh provided an assist for Cathal Baldwin to put Ardscoil Ris back into the lead in the thirty-eight minute, they took full advantage of a speculative rebound off the crossbar for Donagh Fay to score a crucial opportunist goal a minute later that put the winners four points clear.
Unfortunately for Maynooth SLS there was to be no way back for them after a Cathal Flynn pointed free put even more daylight between the teams with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Although a Michael Stokes pointed free cut the deficit two minutes later that score was cancelled out almost immediately by Cathal Balwin’s fourth point and their final score of the game. To their credit Maynooth SLS battled all the way to the final whistle for the scores that might have taken the game into at least extra-time but unfortunately for them they had to settle for a late consolation point from substitute Finn Dowling to leave the final score: Ardscoil Ris 2-10 Maynooth SLS 1-9.
Maynooth SLS can really have no complaints about the outcome on this occasion because the winners were fully deserving of their victory. After the final whistle winning captain Cathal Baldwin was presented with the trophy by Leinster Schools representative and Galway football legend Brian Talty who complimented both teams on a fine game of football played in the best sporting spirit and of the highest standard.
Scorers: Ardscoil Ris – Donagh Fay 1-2, Cathal Baldwin 0-4(0-1)f, Colin McSweeney 1-0, Ryan Murphy 0-2(0-2)f, Harry Curley and James Brady 0-1 each. Maynooth SLS – Michael Stokes 1-4(0-1)f, Niall Cullen, David Eustace, James Moriarty, Finn Dowling and Roan Hunter-Lynam 0-1 each.
Ardscoil Ris – Cillian Cummins: Harry Walsh, Leo Sweeney, Darragh Lynch; Ciaran O’Connor, Sean Keogh, Ronan O’Neill; James Brady, Conaill O’Sullivan; Ruairi Barclay, Ryan Murphy, Colin McSweeney; Donagh Fay, Harry Curley, Cathal Baldwin (capt.). Subs: Oisin Fennelly for Ruairi Barclay 35, Shane Dunphy for Harry Walsh 56.
Maynooth SLS – Joshua Flood; Andrew McGrath, Paul Morrissey, Darren O’Loinsigh; Paul O’Dea, Adam Doyle, Cathal Flynn; Niall Cullen (capt.), Daire McNickle; David Eustace, Harry Byrne, Daniel Ennis; Michael Stokes, James Moriarty, Liam Jennings. Subs: Roan Hunter-Lynam for Harry Byrne h/t, Kallum Gilligan for Cathal Flynn 35, Aaron Mahoney for David Eustace 42, Finn Dowling for Daniel Ennis 45.
Referee: Brian O’Connor (Westmanstown Gaels)
Match at a Glance
Man-of-the-Match – Cathal Baldwin (Ardscoil Ris) Scored 0-4 and never stopped running and making things happen for his team. His leadership was crucial in his team’s deserved victory. Team mate Donagh Fay was also a contender as was his opposite number and Kilcock clubman Michael Stokes who top-scored for Maynooth SLS.
Score-of-the-Match – Maynooth SLS 30th goal Finished by Michael Stokes but a fine example of a team goal.
Save-of-the-Match – Maynooth SLS goalkeeper Joshua Flood’s full length save from Ronan O’Neill.
Game-changer – Ardscoil Ris second goal after 49 minutes – Maynooth SLS were left too much to do in order to get back in contention.
Pic captions
Ardscoil Ris
Maynooth SLS
Team captains – Cathal Baldwin (Ardscoil Ris) referee Brian O’Connor, Niall Cullen (Maynooth SLS)
Brian Talty – Galway football legend Brian Talty addresses and compliments two teams
Presentation – Brian Talty presents cup to victorious captain Cathal Baldwin
Victory speech – Cathal Baldwin addresses his team mates and proud parents before the celebrations get underway.