Burke and Walsh steer Jarlath’s into All-Ireland Colleges Final

Date Published: 30-Mar-2011

Declan Tierney

in Claughan

AT a time when colleges football needed a much needed injection, it’s appropriate that it should be provided by the team that has won the Hogan Cup more times than anyone else as St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam moved a dramatic step closer to their 13th title.

And they were fully deserving of their victory over Colaiste Chriost Ri in the highly guarded ground at Claughan on the outskirts of Limerick on Saturday afternoon in what has to be one of the best colleges games of football witnessed in recent years.

It was high octane stuff as the match was played at a blitzkrieg pace all through and, again, it was Jarlath’s stunning first half performance which laid the foundation for this memorable victory over a side that were generally taller, physically stronger but yet lacked the cuteness and team-work that Jarlath’s served up.

There were so many positives for Jarlath’s to take away from this match as they face a Croke Park assignment against the reigning champions St. Coleman’s of Newry in the All-Ireland colleges final on Sunday week.

The manner in which they threw everything at Chriost Ri in the opening 10 minutes; the efficient way they moved the ball into a fairly stiff breeze throughout the first half; the six point lead they established at half time and the manner in which they withstood the expected fightback from the Cork school in the second half – these were aspects of the game which will stand to Jarlath’s in the final.

But probably the most encouraging aspect to this victory is the fact that when Chriost Ri reduced the deficit to two points midway through the second half, Jarlath’s had the resolve to strike back with devastating effect and for the remainder of the game they were three and four points ahead at all stages.

Among the many highlights to this victory were Shane Walsh’s three outstanding points from play – all from near impossible angles – Conor McNamara’s superb 26th minute goal and the fact that centre forward Ian Burke was the link to many of Jarlath’s scores throughout the match.

See full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.