St. Peter's, Dunboyne captured this year's Leinster Vocational schools SFC title after grinding out a fantastic victory against Castleknock CC. The match took place in Newbridge in very windy conditions. Despite the harsh weather Dunboyne showed all their class in an emphatic four point win. By Marcus Brennan. Castleknock played with the advantage of the breeze in the first half. They failed to capitalise on this advantage as Dunboyne defended resolutely throughout the first period. Micheal O'Grady, Alan Carr and Paul Hayes impressed in defence as both teams went in level at the break. Dunboyne stepped up a gear in the second half. They started playing with a sense of purpose and belief. One player to shine in the second half was Alan Nestor. He kicked off proceedings with a fine pointed free from about 40 metres. The score lifted the team as Dunboyne gained confidence in attack. Craig Bergin and Danny Coyne were on top in the battle to win midfield. In a 14-minute scoring blitz Dunboyne pointed seven times, all of which were unanswered by their Dublin counterparts. The team was moving the ball quick and direct. Castleknock had no answers for the stylish play of Dunboyne. They struggled to contain Alan Nestor who scored five points on the day with four of them coming from play. This was a superb team performance with a sprinkle of fine individual display's. Micheal Dunne performed excellently at corner back and was aided in his defensive efforts by Michael O'Grady. John Carey came into his own in the second half winning an enormous amount of braking ball. Six players ended up on the scoring sheet for St. Peter's. Dunboyne can thank their goalkeeper Thomas McElroy as he pulled of a point blank save with eight minutes to go that would of brought Castleknock right back into the game. Castlenock netted late on but was nothing more than a consolation as Dunboyne ran out four point victors. Dunboyne team: T. McElroy, M. Dunne, A. Carr, M. O'Grady, N. Considine, P. Hayes, G. Finn, D. Coyne, C. Berrigan, J. Carey, A. Nestor, G. Moran, R. Wall, S. Roarty, S. Carty. Subs - C. Richardson for Carty, P. Carton for Moran Dunboyne win battle of Meath schools Ashbourne and Dunboyne contested the Junior Leinster vocational schools final with the latter coming out on top by a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-9. The match was a unique occasion in many ways. This was the first time that two Meath teams featured in the final. It was also a first in regards the pitch, as the match was played on artificial turf in Ballymun Kickhams. Both teams were impressive on their way to the final. Dunboyne dug deep in a thrilling contest, as they had to play most of the second half with 14 men after Andrew Yeow received a red card. Ashbourne played with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half. Although they went into the break three points up they wasted many chances as they hit eight wides in the opening period. Dunboyne struggled to make use of the breeze in the second half. They only drew level with their opponents with just ten minutes remaining. Craig Berrigan brought St. Peter's level and within 90 seconds Daniel Ennis and Mick Convey had put them in the driving seat. Ashbourne like so many times before hit back in emphatic fashion. Gavin Coyle brought the lead back to one point just after Ashbourne substitute Niall McKenna had rattled the post with a shot. The last ten minutes was a nail-biting period for both sets of supporters. Both teams pushed on in search of that winning score. Coyle struck the upright for Ashbourne before Dunboyne's Christopher Kane scored the decisive goal. Ashbourne had no way back into the match as Kane's goal proved to be the separating score between the two teams. Both teams played with exceptional passion and skill. Craig Berrigan, Mick Convey and Niall McWilliams stood out in what was an excellent overall team performance for St. Peters while Gavin Coyle, Stephen O'Brien and Gavin O'Brien battled hardest for Ashbourne CC. Craig Berrigan lifted the Leinster Vocational schools JFC cup for the first time in the schools history. Dunboyne panel: Richie Blaine, Paddy Dobbs, Stephen Dempsey, Padraig Kearns, Donal O'Loughlin, Mark Connolly, Eoin Dolan, Michael Connolly, Craig Berrigan, Thomas Meyler, Dathi Glen, Kevin Galligan, Paddy Geraghty, Niall Walsh, Kevin O'Connor, Andrew Yeow, Brian Fahey, Niall McWilliams, Daniel Blaine, Ronan Roarty, Danny Ennis, Christopher Kane, Richie Kealy, Rory Cunniffe. Ashbourne CC panel: Darren O'Sullivan, Barry Ferrill, Ger Fox, Daniel McShane, John Fahy, Shane O'Sullivan, Stephen O'Brien, Andrew Tormey, Sean Robinson, Thomas Kearns, Darren Marcello, Sean Kiernan, Brian Snow, Anthony Fox, Brian Menton, Stephen Murphy, JP Casserly, Gary Naughton, Dave McNevin, Johnny Jordan, Gavin Kennedy, Niall McKenna, Cian Maguire, Iarlath O'Donnell, Gavin Coyle. Tweet

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