The Sligo Champion

St. Attracta’s make history to set up ‘ A’ final meeting with St. Colman’s

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ST. ATTRACTA’S ST. JARLATH’S 1- 10 0- 11 THIS was another glorious chapter in the short history of St Attracta’s! After an enthrallin­g semi- final that ebbed and flowed in the direction of one side, then the other, Attracta’s just did enough to survive against Jarlath’s, the aristocrat­s of schools football in Connacht, at a wet and windy Fr Gibbons Memorial Park, Claremorri­s on Thursday last.

But it was close against a Jarlath’s team that certainly was fired up for the occasion, and could easily have won the contest had they availed of a penalty awarded in extra time by referee John Glavey after he spotted a foul on Jarlath’s sub Darragh Silke. Attracta’s goalkeeper Adam Broe did very well to save Keelan Creavin’s penalty kick with his left hand.

It was one of several fine saves he would make during the contest. On the other hand, Attracta’s scored a decisive goal on eighteen minutes when Red Óg Murphy picked out Conan Marren with a sublime pass, and the full forward found the net with an explosive effort.

This Attracta’s side has created history as they are the first team from the school to reach a Senior ‘ A’ Championsh­ip final. They will face St Colman’s, Claremorri­s in the final and after the magnificen­t contest they produced in the recent Connacht League final this should be even better.

A huge vocal crowd attended the game, which was played at breakneck speed throughout.

Attracta’s enjoyed a lightning start to the game, when one of their star performers Conall Ryan landed a fine point. It proved to be the first of six he would score.

As the play evolved, a much- smaller and lighter Jarlath’s time began to display their speed and skill. However, Conan Marren added to Attracta’s tally with a great point from the side line.

Jarlath’s growing influence on the play resulted in them scoring three unanswered points from Liam Costello, Conor Newell and Jack Kirrane.

But Jarlath’s found the Attracta’s midfield partnershi­p of Red Óg Murphy and Adrian Frain a continuous problem to overcome.

Jarlath’s were unlucky to lose their full back and captain Ben O’Connell with a shoulder injury.

Attracta’s led at half time by 1- 5 to 0- 4 courtesy of two points from Ryan, and one from Murphy.

Red Óg Murphy, Cian Brett, and Oisín Higgins all sustained injuries necessitat­ing in them having to withdraw from the contest.

In addition, Attracta’s centre back Paul Connolly was brandished with a black card. As a result they were forced to rearrange their formation.

However, a point from Luke Gilmartin sent them five points to the good.

The Tubbercurr­y School failed to score for the next fifteen minutes.

Jarlath’s rattled off two pointed frees from Keelan Creavin, with Darragh Silke, a current Galway minor, adding another.

Once again Conall Ryan stepped up to the plate with a badly- needed point for the eventual winners’.

The excitement reached fever pitch as both teams went for the jugular.

Then Jarlath’s responded to Ryan’s effort with a lovely point from Lorcan Mol- loy to keep the pressure on the winners’.

A strong and sustained bout of pressure from Attracta’s saw Marren hit a post, and the crossbar in quick succession.

Then points from Cian Surlis and Conall Ryan left the scores at 1- 9 to 0- 8 with seven minutes left on the clock.

Jarlath’s aren’t the most successful team in the history of schools football for nothing, and three glorious points in succession from Molloy, Creavin and Newell endorsed their standing.

Jarlath’s literally owned the ball at this juncture; however, Conall Ryan registered his sixth point amidst mounting excitement.

Then in jury time, the penalty award, and the save from Adam Roe will forever linger in the folklore and history of Attracta’s.

Jarlath’s had one last chance to save the game when they were awarded a close in free, Lorcan Molloy opted for a goal attempt, but his effort went high and wide.

And so Attracta’s attention will turn to the final against Colman’s. What an occasion that should be. Attracta’s team: A Broe; J Moran, E Gorman, K Reilly; P Towey, P Connolly, O Higgins; A Frain, R Óg Murphy ( 0- 1f); L Kerrigan, L Gilmartin ( 0- 1), B Gorman;

C Ryan ( 0- 6,1f), C Marren ( 1- 1, 0- 1sideline), C Brett ( 0- 1).

Subs used; C Doddy for Brett ( inj) ( 8); C Surlis for Higgins ( inj) ( 25); O Grehan for Murphy ( inj) H/ T; S Ó Baoighill for Connolly ( 38). Jarlath’s team; O Burke; D Hynes, B O’Connell, C O’Neill; J Kirrane ( 0- 1), L Roach, G Burke; D Boyle, M Collins; K Creavin ( 0- 3,2fs), L Costello ( 0- 1), L Molloy ( 0- 3,2fs); R Mahon, C Newell ( 0- 2fs), E Broderick. Sub used; C Hanley for O’Connell ( inj); D Silke ( 0- 1f) for Roach H/ T; B Mannion for Boyle ( 39); K Boyle for Broderick ( 47); N Cunningham for O’Neill ( black, 49). Referee; J Glavey ( Mayo) The main man; Conall Ryan gets the award. He scored six great points and played exceptiona­lly well throughout. Adam Broe deserves recognitio­n for his great display between the posts.

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