Attracta’s into all- Sligo final
HISTORY will be made on March 5 when two Sligo schools, Summerhill and St Attracta’s will battle in the Connacht ‘ A’ final. This is the first time ever that two schools from the county will contest for the top honours in the Connacht championship. It’s been 31 years since Summerhill won the title, while their Tubbercurry opponents have yet to lift the trophy.
The Colm McGee led side travelled on Sunday to the Connacht Centre of Excellence where they face St Colman’s of Claremorris. Although the south Sligo side were emphatic winners on a ten- point scoreline, this was by no means a complete walk over as the Mayo outfit were holding on in the first half, two points separating them at half time.
Liam Gaughan and Conan Marren were tremendous for the Tubbercurry side and were causing the St Colman’s defence hardship throughout with their nifty point taking and both also netted, Marren first in the 40th minute, with Gaughan converting a late penalty to seal the win.
St Colman’s got on the scoresheet early, through a quick Evan Ronane point in the first minute in what were damp conditions in Beckaun throughout the first half. Their advantage was short lived as Gaughan responded for St Attracta’s following a good move less than a minute later.
Midfielder Barry Gorman was next on target for St Attracta’s with a fine point from play with six minutes gone, St Colman’s ruing a missed chance which sailed wide.
Gaughan added another point in the tenth minute as St Attracta’s looked to be settling better into proceedings. St Colman’s were making some mistakes as their Sligo opponents exerted more control. Fearghal Brennan was fouled and Gaughan duly slotted over, adding another a minute later. Down the other end John Gallagher pointed from a free, making it five points to two with twenty minutes on the clock.
Another wide from St Attracta’s was followed by a fantastically- worked point from play from the Mayo side.
The move began with Gallagher, who found James Jennings, the corner forward passing to captain Michael Higgins who sent over an impressive point.
St Attracta’s were awarded another free and who was it only Gaughan who stepped up and fired over, making it six points to three with half time approaching.
Marren was introduced to proceedings in the 27th minute and this would be crucial for St Attracta’s as they went on a scoring rampage in the second period.
The score at the break was a slender two- point lead for Colm McGee’s charges, six points to four following a Stephen McGreal point from play. Right before half time and the Sligo side could have added a goal to their tally, with Marren seeing his shot slide across the face of the goals, following a pass from Gaughan.
It was substitute Marren who got the scoring started after the resumption, with a free quickly after Red Og Murphy was fouled.
Soon after the free- taker added another, this time St Colman’s were penalised for a foul on Gary Walsh. This was the begging of the St Attracta’s scoring spree - they advanced into a 1- 11 to four point lead as they exerted control on the game.
St Colman’s tried to half block a goal chance through Matthew Macken, but Marren’s shot blasted into the net, Og Murphy sending the ball into the sharp- shooter as St Attracta’s went into a ten- point lead.
St Colman’s to their credit, didn’t let the deficit affect their determination and they responded with two points from midfielder McGreal with fifteen minutes of the second half to go.
With seven points between it was the Mayo outfit who needed the next score, instead it was Gaughan who pointed following a good move, in the 46th minute.
He added another free three minutes later as the Sligo side were cruising with a nine point advantage as the final ten minutes approached.
Two Gallagher frees brought St Colman’s back to within seven points again with nine minutes left on the clock.
Then, it was heartbreak for any hopes of a late revival from the Mayo side as referee Ray McBrien pointed to the spot.
He adjudged Gaughan was illegally brought down and with seven minutes to go, if converted surely it would mean too big of a mountain for St Colman’s to climb.
Up stepped the corner forward and he coolly slammed the ball into the back of the net, putting the scoreline at 2- 14 to ten points, the Tubbercurry support surely believing they had their names on the coveted final spot where they will face Summerhill in a local derby.
This was to be the final score of the game, as try as they might, St Colman’s couldn’t get through the strong St Attracta’s defenc.
This victory for Colm McGee’s charges means for the first time ever, two schools from the county will be in the final decider.
Summerhill were there last year, losing to CBS Roscommon by a single point and they will be out hoping to avenge for that defeat.
St Attracta’s however have never won the ‘ A’ Championship and will be aiming to return victorious to south Sligo in what should be a highly entertaining affair.
ST ATTRACTA’S: A Broe, A Kearns, D Leonard, D Brennan, M Burke, G Perry, G Walsh ( C), B Gorman ( 0- 1), O Higgins, L Gaughan ( 1- 8, pen 3f), R Lang, R Og Murphy, N Mullen, F Brennan, C, Brett ( 0- 1).
Substitutes: C Marren, ( 1- 4, 2f) for F Brennan ( 27), F Regan for C Golding, T Henry for C Brett ( 49), C Doddy for G Perry ( bc, 49), R Ryan for R Lang ( 58), C Gallagher for R Og Murphy ( 60), A Frain for O Higgins ( 60).
ST COLMAN’S: B McGuinness, K Fahey, K Lydon, D GIlmore, P Barry, D Gannon, M Macken, C Golding, S McGreal ( 0- 3), C Diskin, M Higgins ( C) ( 0- 1), S Treacy, J Jennings, E Ronane( 0- 3), J Gallagher ( 0- 3, 3f). Substitutes: S Vahey for D Gannon ( 39). Referee: Ray McBrien from Leitrim. St Attracta’s and Summerhill College will now battle it out for the honour of being Connacht ‘ A’ Champions.
The location for the final on Saturday, March 5, was not announced at time of print.