First Year Connacht Final Victory – Match Report of Michael Nally, Leaving Cert Student.
St. Jarlath’s College 0-15
St. Gerlad’s College 1-10
St.Jarlath’s College continue to produce talented footballers as their 1st year team won the Connacht Championship last Tuesday, May 10th in Claremorris. With the aid of the breeze in the first half, Jarlaths got off to the better start with Conor Marsden kicking 4 points and Alan Broderick who kicked a wonderful point in the opening 10 minutes of the game. St. Gerald’s got back into the game with a well taken goal and a point. Jarlaths responded emphatically though with midfielder Conor Marsden kicking 4 points and Martin Boyle getting his first point of the game before the interval to leave Jarlaths with a 6 point lead. Playing against a stiff brezze in the second half Jarlaths got off to the better start with Darren Quinn scoring 2 points and Conor Marsden adding another point to the ever increasing lead.Summerhill reduced the lead with 5 consecutive points before Dylan Canney and Alan Broderick kicked a point each to steady the ship. St. Gerald’s refused to give up and 4 more points meant there was only 2 between the sides. St. Gerald’s pushed hard for the winning goal but for some fantastic defending in particular from Alan Broderick, Brendan Murray and Dylan McHugh which ensured Jarlaths were Connacht Champions. This was a wonderful performance with goalkeeper Dylan Moran and his full back line of Padraig Neenan, Dylan McHugh and Brendan Murray all playing well. In the half back line Alan Broderick, Cullen Devane and Cathal Newell were fantastic in defence and attack. At midfield the Kilconly duo of Conor Marsden and Cillian Ryan won some great ball while at centre forward Joseph Lowry pulled the strings in attack and he was ably assisted by Joseph Boyle(c) and Martin Boyle. Up front Darren Quinn, Caoilinn Lowry and Dylan Canney were a constant threat throughout.Credit also to teachers Cathal Horan, Michelle Naughton and Killererin midfielder Tom Hughes for training the team superbly throughout the year.
