We were spoiled last year when three Kildare Schools reached the semi-finals of the Bro Bosco Cup (Leinster Schools Senior A Football Championship).

Naas CBS of course went on to win both the Leinster and All-Ireland Championships becoming the first Kildare team to triumph in the Hogan Cup. This year, however, they are the only Kildare school still standing at the Quarter Final stage after heavy defeats for Scoil Mhuire of Clane on Wednesday and Patrician Secondary School Newbridge today.

Clane turned around 1-9 to 1-3 behind at half-time against Moate Community School with the wind advantage to come but a couple of goals conceded left them with too big a mountain to climb in St. Loman’s and the Westmeath school went on to a comfortable 5-15 to 2-6 win.

The conditions were no better today as the Patricians went down by 4-12 to 2-6 to the famed St Mel’s of Longford, who head the roll-of-honour for this competition with 29 wins, though none since 2003.

Both Moate and St Mel’s look like strong contenders for the competition on this week’s evidence.

In the Quarter Final draw made this afternoon, Naas will play Colaiste Eoin from Dublin, who were the 1998 and 2014 winners. A difficult tie no doubt but having won 3 of the last 4 Leinster titles and reached the final in the other one, Naas are building an outstanding reputation in schools football in the province.

St Mary’s Edenderry, with a number of Kildare boys on board, were also unsuccessful this week, going down to Colaiste Choilm of Tullamore after extra-time, the Tullamore boys scoring a last minute goal to win by 2-7 to 1-8. They’ll meet St Patrick’s Navan, joint second to St Mel’s in the roll of honour with 10 wins.

St Mel’s meet the Offaly schools combination while Moate travel to St Peter’s of Wexford.

Certainly plenty of big guns left in it.

Br Bosco Cup Quarter Final Draw

Naas CBS V Colaiste Eoin

Colaiste Choilm Tullamore V St Patrick’s Navan

St Peter’s College V Moate CS

St Mel’s Longford V Offaly Schools