Summerhill’s defeats.
THE final score may give the impression that this was an easy win for St Gerald’s Castlebar in last Saturday’s Connacht Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ championship final.
It was anything but as the game was evenly balanced until the final quarter.
The Castlebar lads were fully deserving of their success, but for long periods of the game they were made to work hard for their seventh title at this grade.
The incessant light rain that fell throughout the contest made conditions difficult for the players. But as they acclimatised to the elements, they delivered a contest that was competitive and entertaining.
Wind-assisted Summerhill made the early running as Gerald’s were slow to get out of the blocks, just as they were against Ballinrobe CS in the semi-final.
The Sligo lads made the early running and chalked up two points in as many minutes from Eoghan Smith (a free) and Jack Davitt.
It took St Gerald’s twelve minutes to register their first point from a Paddy Heneghan free-kick.
During the ensuing play Summerhill played some fine football, leading to them landing three unanswered points from Eoghan Smith, Fionn Connolly and Jim Davis.
However, they suffered a huge blow to their chances of landing the title when they lost their highly-impressive full-back Marc Connolly-McGowan to what looked like a serious leg injury.
However, Gerald’s were struggling to stay in touch as their handling and first touch was inferior to Summerhill’s at that juncture.
However, points from Thomas Waldron and Paddy Heneghan ensured that they stayed in the hunt.
A pointed free from Eoghan Smith left three between the sides approaching the break. In the twinkling of an eye everything changed utterly when a misdirected Summerhill kick-out went astray, leading to Cillian Redmond toe-poking the ball to the net.
It got worse for Summerhill moments later when Cian Donoghue landed a point.
What should have been a deserved lead for Summerhill was now a one-point deficit as Gerald’s led by 1-4 to 0-6 at half-time.
When Gerald’s converted two frees without reply after the break from Paddy Heneghan, it looked as if they would go on to win with something to spare.
But a defiant Summerhill had other ideas, and a point from Luke Casserly left just two between the finalists.
Gerald’s substitute Darragh Reilly restored the status quo with a lovely point for the eventual winners, but Summerhill were proving to be stubborn and defiant opponents. Two sublime points without reply from Eoghan Smith left a single score between the sides as the game entered the home straight.
But Gerald’s ability to raise their game came to the fore leading to Paddy Heneghan (a free) and Thomas Waldron kicking scores.
Once again, Summerhill responded in the best possible way with a pointed free- kick from an outstanding Eoghan Smith.
It proved to be their final riposte on the scoreboard as Gerald’s played their best football of the entire game from there to the finish.
Summerhill’s bid for glory suffered a mortal blow when they lost midfielder Oran McDonagh to a second yellow card. It got worse before the end when they also lost Brian Callaghan to a second card of a similar colour.
Gerald’s totally dominated the final minutes of the game and, in doing so, they played some highly impressive football.
They kicked the final four points of the contest from Thomas Waldron, Robbie Finnerty, Paddy Heneghan and Cillian Redmond to put the seal on a famous win.
Gerald’s will look to gain a better start in the All-Ireland semi-final against Munster champions Tralee CBS.
If they do, they have every chance of reaching the Hogan Cup final.
St Gerald’s
J Livingstone; J Cunningham, J Tuohy, C McHale; T Waldron (0-3), O Tunney, D McHugh; C Redmond (1-1), N Carter; E Murphy, P Heneghan (0-6,4fs), C Donoghue (0-1); P Walsh, R Finnerty (0-1), P Beirne.
Subs used: J Walsh for J Cunningham; M Fahy for C Donoghue; A McHale for R Finnerty; D Swerkowski for T Waldron; D Reilly (0-1) for P Beirne. Summerhill College
J Teape; S Muldowney, M Connolly-McGowan, C Mulligan; B Callaghan, T Gavin, L Casserly (0-1); O McDonagh, C Kevany. P Maher, E Smith (0-6,5fs), F Connolly (0-1); J Davis (0-1), M Walsh, J Davitt (0-1).
Subs used: J Cox for C Kevany; C O’Reilly for M Connolly-Gowan (inj); C Oates for P Maher.
Referee: M Flaherty ( Galway)