Knockbeg College 4-12 St Peter’s College 3-11
Leinster School’s SFC Round 1
Knockbeg College have made the perfect start to their Leinster ‘A’ SFC campaign as they defeated St Peter’s this afternoon.
Chris Conway’s charges led by five points at half time but a strong start to the second half saw St Peter’s turn the game on its head.
The Wexford side fired in three goals to take a five point lead with less than a quarter of the contest to play.
But Knockbeg regrouped to claim a vital win that puts them on the cusp of a spot in the knock out phase.
This is a strong Knockbeg team and it is actually the first time in the school’s history that the starting 15 comprised entirely of lads in Sixth Year.
The sides traded points to begin before St Joseph’s Mikey Murphy, who had earlier rattled the crossbar, fired in a goal after 13 minutes.
With Jamie Walker, Josh Brady, Cialann Brady and Jermey Kelly accurate in front of goal, Knockbeg took a 1-7 to 0-5 lead at half time.
That lead was instantly cut when play resumed as St Peter’s corner forward Patrick Berry raised a green flag for his side.
Knockbeg responded with two points from TJ Nolan and Murphy but St Peter’s had their tails up as a David McCarthy free was followed by a goal from Conor Cullen.
The home team then took the lead for the first time through Simon Roche before their third goal came thanks to Sean Rowley.
Sub Josh Maguire-Duggan also pointed and St Peter’s now led 3-8 to 1-9 with 45 minutes on the clock.
But Knockbeg teams are most renowned for their heart and spirit – something that was clearly on show in this game.
Twins Cialan and Josh Brady began the comeback with points before Josh, as he had done against St Joseph’s for Eire Og at the weekend, scored a brilliant goal.
The talented forward added a second goal soon after and Knockbeg led by three with 50 minutes on the clock.
Sean Rowley and David McCarthy dragged St Peter’s back into it with points and there was now just one between them with five minutes to go.
Knockbeg had introduced Arles-Killeen forward Ennae Byrne and, after going close for a goal himself minutes earlier, he turned provider for Cialann Brady to score the match winner.
Mark Walsh cut the gap to three but Jeremy Kelly made the win safe for Knockbeg with a late free.
Knockbeg College will look to claim top spot if they avoid defeat against Ard Scoil na Trionoide of Athy on Thursday November 9.
The Kildare outfit, which have a big St Joseph’s, Ballylinan and Barrowhouse presence, were beaten by St Peter’s by a point last week so they must win to have any chance of advancing.
SCORERS – Knockbeg: Josh Brady 2-2 (0-1 mark), Cialan Brady 1-3 (0-3 frees), Mikey Murphy 1-1, Jeremy Kelly 0-4 (three frees), TJ Nolan and Jamie Walker 0-1 each St Peter’s: Sean Rowley 1-2, David McCarthy 0-4, Conor Cullen 1-1, Patrick Berry 1-0, Simon Roche, Josh Maguire-Duggan, Mark Walsh and Cathal Sinnott 0-1 each
KNOCKBEG COLLEGE: Sean Browne (Crettyard); Jack Brennan (Killeshin), Cian Cashman (Palatine), Eoin Cawley (Killeshin); Michael Gaffney (Killeshin), Darragh Loughman (Ballylinan), Mackenzie McIvor (Ballylinan); TJ Nolan (St Laurence’s), John Phiri (Aska); Jamie Walker (Tinryland), Jeremy Kelly (St Joseph’s), Jack Behan (Arles-Kilcruise); Cialan Brady (Eire Og), Mikey Murphy (St Joseph’s), Josh Brady (Eire Og) Subs: Ruaidhri Lawlor (St Laurence’s) for Cawley (38), Ennae Byrne (Arles-Killeen) for Behan (40), Ronan Creery (Stradbally) for Murphy (55), Kevin Fennelly (Annanough) for Gaffney (58)
ST PETER’S: William Gaul; Eoin Sinnott, Kevin Byrne, Eoin Cassin; Jack Hennessy, Mark Walsh, Rian Ormonde; Bobby Reville, Sean Rowley; Conor Cullen, David McCarthy, Cathal Sinnott; Liam Cooney, Diarmaid Roche, Patrick Berry. Subs: Josh Maguire-Duggan
REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford)
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