Last-gasp Almeida seals Junior glory

GARBALLY COLLEGE needed a late try from Samuel Almeida to wrap up their 43rd Connacht Junior Cup title with victory against Coláiste Iognáid at the Sportsground yesterday.

The Ballinasloe students were well in control at the interval, enjoying a 17-5 half-time lead thanks to tries from Luke Walsh and Dáithí Blackweir. Adam O’Carroll converted the first try.

However, they were made to fight all the way by ‘The Jes’ in the second period.

James Harrison crossed for the Galway city school in the opening period and their hopes of a comeback were boosted when Adam Madden added to their tally with a well-taken try, while the boot of Charlie Power closed the gap to two points with time running out.

However, with the conditions helping them, Almeida secured the win for Garbally with his try a minute from time.

GARBALLY COLLEGE – A O’Carroll; C Poland, J Tumulty (L Collins 60), J Devine, S Almeida; E Colleran, J Tierney (E Hayes 45); C Lionel, L Feehily, C Dempsey (C Ryan 48); O Cooley, C Keogh; C Grenham, L Walsh, D Blackweir.

COLÁISTE IOGNÁID – H Reddan; J Harrison (C CookeWinters 48), A Madden (B O’Malley 59), C Power, N McCormack; P Nash, A Sherlock; P Fahy (A J Solan 60), T McDonald, N Pfeiffer; J Lynott, D Kelly; R Kavanagh, C Leonard, H Gavin.

REF – T McNicholas