St Gerald’s College defeat St Muredach’s College to claim ninth Connacht PPS Senior ‘A’ Football title

Gerald's will now progress to the All-Ireland semi-final where they face the Munster winners Tralee CBS.

St Gerald's captain Evan Walsh receiving the Aonghus Murphy Cup following Friday night's victory over St Muredach's College.

Connacht PPS Senior ‘A’ Football final:

St Gerald’s College (Castlebar, Mayo) 1-19 (1-3-13) St Muredach’s College (Ballina, Mayo) 3-7 (3-1-5)

St Gerald’s College claimed their ninth Mezzino.ie Connacht PPS Senior ‘A’ Football title with a convincing six-point victory over St Muredach’s College.

It was nip and tuck between the sides in the first half with Gerald’s taking a three-point lead in at half time, but their experience took hold in the last quarter, and they pulled away from Muredach’s.

Gerald’s made a quick start. Captain Evan Walsh opened with a point from play, followed by Joe Forry after the kick-out. Dominating midfield, Conor Hoban struck the first two-pointer to push the Castlebar school 0-4 to 0-0 ahead inside four minutes. Walsh added another to stretch the lead to five.

Muredach’s responded when captain Patrick Carr converted a free. A turnover by defender Charlie Beale in his own backline led to a swift counterattack for Muredach’s which was finished to the net by Seán Foody, narrowing the gap to two, 0-6 to 1-1.

Oisin McCann added a point before Hoban steadied Gerald’s with two in a row.

Walsh landed a superb two-pointer and Forry added a two-point free to make it 0-12 to 1-2. Carr replied with a free, but Foody struck the net again for Muredach’s just before half-time, leaving it 0-12 to 2-3.

McCann pointed early for Muredach’s in the second half, and after exchanges that included a Dylan Sweeney two-pointer and another Carr free, the sides were level at 0-13 to 2-7.

That would be the Ballina’s school last score for 22 minutes with Gerald’s taking over. Keeper Oisin Costello and Diffley added points before corner back Paul Hurst stepped up to convert a penalty for a ball that was played on the ground.

Adam Burton and substitute Ryan McNamara converted points with the impressive Forry finishing off the scoring with two points for Gerald’s. They will now progress to the All-Ireland semi-final where they face the Munster winners Tralee CBS.

Scorers for St Gerald’s College: J Forry 0-6 (tpf); E Walsh (tp), C Hoban (tp) 0-4 (apiece); P Hurst 1-0; J Diffley 0-2; A Burton, O Costello, R McNamara 0-1 (each).

Scorers for St Muredach’s College: S Foody 2-0; P Carr 0-3 (3f); O McCann, D Sweeney 0-2 (each).

ST GERALD’S COLLEGE: O Costello; P Hurst, M Flannelly, M Kelly; A Burton, F McHale, R Connolly; C Moran, J Diffley; C Cighill, B Joyce, C Hoban; E Walsh (c), J Forry, R Neary.

Subs: E Dever for C Coghill (48), P Garvey for R Neary (HT), D Connor for C Moran (63), R McNamara for R Connolly (38).

ST MUREDACH’S COLLEGE: C Bohan; C Tighe, K McKee, C Beale; C Breslin, C Hastings, A Smyth; O Gavin, D Sweeney; O McCann, C Jordan, C Lavery-McCay; S Foody, N Roddy, P Carr (c).

Subs: E Golden for C Lavery-McCay (52), O Heffron for P Carr (59), J Fox for S Foody (59), P Quinn for C Beale (54).

Referee: John Glavey.