Summerhill’s Shield win
SUMMERHILL COLLEGE 4-7 BALLYHAUNIS CS 1-3
Mayo Junior Hurling Championship Shield Final SUMMERHILL College claimed the Mayo Junior Hurling Shield for the first time at the Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan on Tuesday, thanks to a strong second half showing against a skilful Ballyhaunis Community School.
There was little to separate the sides in the opening period, with two opportunistic goals from alert corner-forward Jamie Walsh, and some strong defensive performances narrowly edging the Sligo school into a one-point, 2-1 to 1-3 half-time lead in a low-scoring affair.
But with the considerable wind advantage blowing at their backs in the second half, Summerhill took full control to hit 2-6 without reply, as their defence remained resolute.
Goalkeeper Mark McDaniel, full-back Peter Meehan and corner-back Max Burns-Flynn all had to make last-ditch blocks to deny certain goals as Ballyhaunis impressed in the first period.
Cormac Heneghan led the charge for Summerhill at the other end with a strong first half performance.
After the break midfielders Canice Mulligan and Paul O’Brien, defenders Thomas Davis and Adam Connolly, centre-forward Robert O’Kelly-Lynch and substitute Donnchadh O’Brien all impressed as Summerhill dominated.
And captain Oileann Mulligan was presented with the trophy after the game after a faultless display at centre-back.
The Summerhill team was managed by teachers Damian Keenan and Eoin Doherty, and coached by Sligo Hurling GPO Darragh Cox.
It’s the second year in a row that Summerhill have claimed a hurling title in the annual Mayo competitions, with the school’s senior team managed by Shane Reynolds and Benny Kenny winning the Senior Shield last year. SUMMERHILL: Mark McDaniel; Shane Harte, Peter Meehan, Max BurnsFlynn; Adam Connolly, Oileann Mulligan (captain 0-1), Thomas Davis; Paul O’Brien (0-1), Canice Mulligan (1-0); Cormac Heneghan (0-1), Robert O’Kelly-Lynch (1-1), Nathan McArdle (0-3, 2f); Corey O’Dowd, Cian Oates, Jamie Walsh (2-0).
SUBS used: Donnchadh O’Brien, Michael Carroll, John Hansbury, Joe Campbell, Dylan McGee.