A goal and two points from U16 starlet, Niall Kelly, was a significant feature of that display in the latter period, while Luke Thomas and in particular Tony Gibbons were commanding figures in defence.
Jamie Farrell put in his usual shift at midfiel
d and on another day might have received more plaudits.
Alongside him though, Kevin Feely was an unstoppable force. He fielded imperiously and delivered astutely. His tackling was in keeping with the rest of his team-mates - controlled and very effective. And when his team was struggling just a bit towards the end of the first half, it was his sensational point that got them back on track.
A tendency to over-play the ball in search of a goal that wasn't always on cost Árdscoil scores when they dominated possession and allowed their opponents to gain a foothold in that opening period.
Stephen Corrigan had opened the scoring for St Peter's but Árdscoil responded well. Cian Reynolds pointed two frees and Darroch Mulhall, who was part of a two-man inside forward line with John Lawler, added a wonderful point.
Mulhall won a number of frees and his reputation clearly preceded him, as he occupied the attentions of two defenders in that first half.
Goalkeeper Pádraig Walsh had to make a very smart save from Kevin Whelan at the other end of the field but that was the only goal-scoring opportunity St Peter's had in the game such was the dominance of the home defence. Indeed the visitors failed to register one score in the second half.
St Peter's net-minder Shane Bierney was out quick to deny Lawler but the Wexford boys gradually assumed control despite being a clear second best in the middle third, reeling off four points on the trot.
Mark O'Connor started the run with a breathtaking kick from a sideline and Glen Whelan followed up with a brace either side of a brilliant score on the run from James Gordon.
By now, a touch of anxiety was beginning to creep into Árdscoil's play but Feely's run and outstanding finish, followed by a Reynolds free erased the fears and they went in at the break at 0-5 apiece.
When the teams reconvened, Árdscoil had reverted to an orthodox lineout and that was to prove significant in the final quarter.
With a slight wind in their favour, they drove forward and forced the overworked St Peter's defence to concede frees. Liam McGovern converted three of these and when another Reynolds placed kick struck the upright, Kelly was on hand raise the white flag.
Kelly continued to display the sharpness that has been a feature of his campaign to date. Back in the corner, he tormented his marker and arced over a fine solo score, almost immediately after Reynolds had slotted a free.
It was the youngster who provided the coup de grace in the 55th minute. Profiting from good work by Seán Ronan and Reynolds, he sped goal wards before unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot into the far corner.
Árdscoil na Tríonóide:
Padraig Walsh; Barry Purcell, Luke Thomas, David O'Toole; David Hyland, Tony Gibbons, Brian Kenna; Kevin Feely 0-1, Jamie Farrell; Liam McGovern 0-3(fs), Niall Kelly 1-2, Cian Reynolds 0-4(fs), Stephen Doyle; John Lawler, Darroch Mulhall 0-1. Subs: Kealan Bolger for Doyle (39); Sean Ronan for Hyland (53); James Brennan for O'Toole (59); Brian Conway for Mulhall (60); Michael Behan for Kelly (60+2)
St Peter's:
Shane Bierney; Kevin Hannigan, Aidan Cash, Shane Griffith; Fergal Hynes, Craig McCabe, Stephen Corrigan 0-1; Dean Wright, James Gordon 0-1; AJ Lehane, Mark O'Connor 0-1(sideline), Niall Murphy; Mossie Power, Kevin Whelan, Glen Murphy 0-2. Subs: Billy Wright for N Murphy (29); Conor Kavanagh for Power (46); Brendan Hughes for Corrigan (51).
Referee:
Pat Kehoe (Carlow).
