Leinster Schools U17 success for Killinarden Community
KILLINARDEN Community School made history last when they secured the U17 Leinster Schools title after seeing off Colaiste na Mi from Navan to win their first ever provincial crown.
The squad had already won the West Dublin Metropolitan title beating local rivals Firhouse Community School 6-0 in the final which qualified them for the Leinster’s and all Dublin Metropolitan.
KCS had come through a tough Leinster semi-final against Joey’s of Fairview a few weeks before with a score line of 3-1.
Goals on the day from Ryan Sherwin, Luke Kelly and Jake Keogh secured the teams path to the final after missing out on a final spot last year.
KCS were slow out of the traps as Navan controlled much of the first 20 minutes and eventually took the lead against the run of play.
Team mentors Johnny Keenaghan, Ryan McGuinness and Rob Keogh
Bradley Doyle kept KCS in the game with a superb one-on-one save to keep it at 1-0.
Five minutes before half time as KCS settled Callum Kelly O’Connor picked up the ball just inside his own half, rolling his opponent and spraying a 30 yard pass into the path of Bradley Byrne who made no mistake drawing the Killinarden side level just before the interval.
On the turnover, dominating possession Killinarden pushed forward to take the lead.
Ten minutes into the half Luke Kelly whipped a delightful free kick into the box which was calmly finished by centre back Calvin Core.
Killinarden grew in confidence from this score and it eventually paid off when Luke Kelly picked up the ball played a-one-two with Ryan Sherwin only for Luke to rifle it home making it 3-1.
Callum Kelly O’ Connor put in a good shift at midfield for the winners while Bradley Doyle who made a few outstanding saves to kept Killinarden in the game early on.
The lads were welcomed back to school by their principal Ms Whelan, teachers and class mates and deserved all the plaudits as the first ever group in KCS history to bring home a Leinster title.
Their mentors Mr Keenaghan, Mr Keogh and Mr Mc Guinness were delighted with the victory.
Killinarden take on St Joseph’s CBS next Wednesday in the all Dublin Metropolitan final as they go for the treble.
