IMAGE COURTESY OF BRENDA McCALLION
St: Aloysius College, Athlone 2/3 Summerhill College, Sligo
Malachy Spratt, Stephen Kerins, Gary Armstrong
SUMMERHILL COLLEGE made it three Connacht Dr: Tony O’Neill Cup titles in a row with a three goals to two victory over Saint Aloysius from Athlone in Salthill Devon FC yesterday (March 25):
The Sligo kingpins had won the last two Connacht titles and are the current All Ireland Dr: Tony O’Neill Cup Champions:
Going into this game as favourites, after last year’s success, they justified the tag against a strong and gallant Athlone side who never gave up until the end:
Indeed with ten minutes to go in the game it looked as if Summerhill were coasting but the Athlone lads fought back and two late goals in a five minutes spell that meant a nervy last five minutes and injury time for the large Sligo contingent at the game:
In the end the holders deserved their victory with two critical periods mid way through the first half and early in the second half deciding the game:
In those spells the Sligo boys made their dominance count on the score board and this was ultimately the difference after the ninety minutes:
Summerhill settled the better and dominated the early stages with their possession game:
Aloysius had a good team structure and worked hard to deny Summerhill any openings in the early stages:
Indeed their own quick counter attacking game was also evident with Captain Mark Halligan always threatening on the Athlone right wing:
One good move released Mark Halligan but his dangerous cross was cleared by Stephen Kerins:
At the other end good work by Kyle Harrigan and Darragh Gaules released Gary Armstrong but his shot was dragged wide from a very tight angle:
The opening goal came on 20 minutes and there was a large element of luck:
Malachy Spratt chased down the Aloysius defender as in blocking his attempted clearance the ball spun over the Alyosius keepers head and into the net:
While the goal was fortuitous Spratt worked hard throughout the game and was a constant menace to the athlone defence:
This gave Summerhill a lift and they pushed home their advantage: Half an hour in, it was two when Stephen Kerins reacted quickest to a corner to fire home the Sligo boys second:
At this stage the momentum was with the sky blues and Gary Armstrong almost made it three when a good move involving Gaule, Harrigan and McCallion saw Armstrong free but his first time effort from close range missed the target:
Just before half time Aloysius thought they had scored when a bullet header from Mark Halligan from a corner was disallowed as the ball had gone out of play and come back in before being scored:
Athlone continued to press and fired over from distance and the half time score of two nil was probably rough on the Athlone side:
Although playing against a breeze, on a fine Salthill surface, Summerhill came out of the traps flying in the second half:
Their midfield three were on top and with Kilcawley particularly impressive, they created a flurry of chances:
McManus header was superbly tipped over by Darren Green in the Alyosius goal:
Then came the goal of the game as Gary Armstrong broke from midfield and when it looked like a pass was on he let fire from all of thirty yards into the top corner for a spectacular goal, which ultimately proved to be the winner:
Summerhill pressed again and Gaule and Kilcawley both went close as the Sligo side had a period of dominance:
With ten minutes to go and the game apparently over Aloysius had other ideas
A great set piece delivery was met with power by Conor Murray and it was game on for the last eight minutes:
Three minutes later it was 3/2 when David Connaughton broke free on the left and his superb delivery was rifled home by Mark Halligan:
All of a sudden the game took on a different complexion and Aloysius pressed hard but could not pierce the Sligo rearguard for a third time that would have taken the game to extra time:
Both sides played out a fine final that was in the balance until the dying moments and that was ultimately settled by a superlative strike by young Gary Armstrong:
The Sligo school now move on to face another stiff test when they take on the Munster Champions De La Salle College, Waterford next week in the All Ireland Semi Final as they attempt to retain their crown:
SUMMERHILL COLLEGE, SLIGO: Ryan Blake, Dylan Conboy, Stephen Kerins, Brian Glennon, Kyle Harrigan, Mark McCallion, Darren Kilcawley, Ryan McManus, Darragh Gaule, Gary Armstrong, Malachy Spratt
SUBS: Brian McGowan, Darragh O Brien, Kyle Cawley, Aaron Flynn, Ryan McCarrick, James Hannigan, Killian Feeney, Gavin Sweeney, Kyle Cawley
TEACHER: Stephen Eustace COACH: Steve Feeney