Masterful Simon Keller boots Garbally College to 45th title

Garbally College 19 Summerhill College Sligo 18: A masterful kicking display from Simon Keller, a first-half try from Michael O’Neill and some incredible last ditch defending in a frenetic finale saw Garbally College end their eight year wait for the Top Oil Connacht Schools Senior Cup title at the expense of a gallant and talented Summerhill College of Sligo.

This was title number 45 for Garbally College and the win ensured they didn’t fall at the final hurdle for a third successive year. Summerhill were competing in the final for the first time after a tremendous campaign that saw them pip holders Sligo Grammar to reach the decider.

Summerhill started brilliantly with an early try from Ciarán Cassidy but Garbally responded with a try of their own from Michael O’Neill later in the half to help them to a 13-10 half time lead.Both captains, Jack Keegan for Summerhill and Simon Keller for Garbally, kicked superbly throughout but Keller’s five kicks from five seemed to have Garbally on the verge of victory with five minutes remaining as they held a 19-13 lead.