Accurate Flynn helps Woodford boys edge out Garbally

Date Published: {J}

Mercy College 0-15

Garbally Collge 1-11

Michael O’Connor in Ballinasloe

IT’S a busy month for Mercy College, Woodford and for a number of its leading lights as they are attacking Connacht and All-Ireland honours on two fronts.

First up was Ballinasloe recently and the Connacht Senior B hurling final against Garbally College. Early next month, Woodford will pair up with St Raphael’s for the Connacht senior A hurling final. Ironically, the Mercy boys had overcome Raphael’s in the B semi-final.

It most certainly was the game of two halves with Woodford looking certain champions after 40 minutes, only to left hanging on for dear life in the face of a stirring Garbally rally.

The Balinasloe outfit must regret missing gilt edged goal chances in the opening minutes before Woodford took over proceedings. 13 Tommie Larkins clubmen were on the starting Mercy line up and they were quickly into their stride as Kevin McHugo opened the scoring in the 3rd minute.

Garbally had two great goal chances in the first ten minutes, but lacked the confidence to finish and Woodford were let off the hook, although Alan Loughnane, from Cappatagle, opened their account with a tremendous score in the 5th minute.

The only saving grace for the following 15 minutes from a Garbally perspective was that Woodford were happy to tag on points and not go for goals. Leading the way was Galway minor Jason Flynn, who was involved in nearly all their scores.

He pointed in the 6th minute, quickly followed by full forward Stephen Keon and Flynn once again a minute later, to open up a quick three point lead. The Garbally puck out was being won with ease by Woodford and Flynn, McHugo, Peter English added to their side’s tally by the 15th minute as the South Galway school led 0-7 to 0-1.

Kiltormer’s Mark Cormican and impressive Garbally full forward Paul Claffey, with a 65, gave hope to the town school with a score each by the 19th minute, but Woodford regained control with a hat-trick of frees from Jason Flynn, allied to a brace of points from play by Andrew Moran and Stephen Keon, to hold a commanding 0-12 to 0-3 lead half-time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.