Senior Boys Connacht Final
St. Mary’s overcome resilient Summerhill side
St. Mary’s College, Galway 3
Summerhill College, Sligo 2
Milebush Park in Castlebar was the venue for the Connacht Final which saw St. Mary’s College, Galway capture the Connacht title. The windswept conditions didn’t deter the players from netting five splendid goals and showcasing some outstanding individual performances.
We didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the game. It came with only five minutes played after Gerard Cheevers hit a well struck corner which was delivered into the six yard box to be met by an excellent header from Captain, Mike Elwood.
St. Mary’s grew in confidence after taking the early lead and added a second soon after. The goal coming with just 12 minutes played which saw the ball being played down the left to Eric Holland who then played an excellent through ball into Jonathan Duane who got a head onto it and guided it into the far corner.
St. Mary’s were now two up with 15 minutes played. They looked like scoring their third with some excellent support play by Mike Elwood who put David O’Carroll in but his powerful shot went wide. The Galway lads maintained the pressure for the first 25 minutes until Summerhill got into their stride. This purple patch saw Sligo with much of the possession. They were unfortunate not to pull one back before half time but it remained 2 – 0 going into the second half.
Barry O’Malley, the Belvedere star was exceptional throughout the match and was the main instigator for much of the Summerhill attack. Sligo opened their scoring right after half time when a great ball was played to Stephen Hargaden who delivered an inch perfect cross from the left hand side to the far post for Kevin Devaney to slot home to make it 2 – 1.
Summerhill remained positive and attacked at every opportunity. This period of sustained pressure produced fine performances and support play from Darren O’Hara and Aidan Gaule.
With ten minutes remaining, St. Mary’s dug deep and produced some superb football. Gerard Cheevers played a good ball from across the left to substitute Brian Warde for him to find the net. St. Mary’s could take their foot off the gas with a 3 – 1 lead.
In the dying minutes of the game, Kevin Devaney popped up to create the goal of the match which saw him work the ball through a strong St. Mary’s defence to finish from close range. This brought the score line to 3 -2. The Sligo spectators were willing them to find an equaliser but St. Mary’s held their nerve to secure another Connacht title.
St. Mary’s: Coughlin, Ryan, Coughan, O’Carroll, Elwood (Capt), Lotobom, Mangen, Duane, Cheevers, Grant, Holland.
Summerhill: McGovern, Selby, Keown, O’Hara, Davey, Herrity, Hargaden, O’Malley, McGoldrick, Gaule, Devaney
ENDS