Caulfield’s late goals carry the day for Loughrea boys

St. Raphael’s 3-13

St. Cuan’s 0-13

THIS entertaining Connacht Schools Senior B Hurling Final last Saturday entertained those attending in Ballinasloe as two late Conor Caulfield goals secured victory for St. Raphael’s of Loughrea.

St. Cuan’s, Castleblakney had weathered the storm and when Sean Bleahene put over his fifth point on 56 minutes to level, the smart betting was on Jim Minogue’s team. After trailing by four at half-time, the north Galway school were enjoying the better of the second period.

But missed chances earlier would come home to roost as St. Raphael’s were more clinical over the hour. Nine points was a flattering margin of victory, but the winners did make the chances count.

Bleahene had opened for St. Cuan’s within 24 seconds but the first quarter belonged to St. Raphael’s who built a 0-6 to 0-2 lead. That wasn’t before Bleahene had another opportunity with the Ahascragh/Fohenagh forward unfortunate to see a fierce effort blaze across the goal. But when Brian Keary opened St. Raphael’s account, Francis Forde’s team started getting on top.

Kevin Cooney had a strong first half for St. Raphael’s and sent over a point from the right wing. He doubled his tally in the ninth minute before Caulfield provided Joseph Fox for their fourth white flag. St. Cuan’s were struggling but Darragh Glynn took Dylan Ryan’s pass for their second minor on 14 minutes, leaving it 0-4 to 0-2.

St. Raphael’s continued with Cooney sending over an excellent sideline cut and when Darren Morrissey added an equally sublime point from play, the Loughrea side were dominant.

Cuan’s got back into proceedings in the final 10 minutes of the half and hit four scores in three minutes. Captain Mark Kelly grabbed a brace, including one delivered by Eoghan Delaney while Bleahene was proving a thorn with two white flags.

But St. Raphael’s only score in this period was a green flag as Caulfield’s ball from the right was met by Caimin Killeen for the touch and the East Galway school led by 1-6 to 0-6.

Cooney and Keary added placed balls before half-time while Mark Kelly responded for St. Cuan’s but goal chances were aplenty. Raphael’s Daniel Lally was denied by the crossbar while Martin McManus saw another chance stopped by Dean Reilly. At the other end, Bleahene’s goal attempt was stopped by the composed handling of keeper Evan Dowling.

At 1-8 to 0-7, this provincial final was still alive. Kelly’s early free reduced arrears for St. Cuan’s and when Reilly and Ryan laid the platform on 38 minutes for Micheal Glynn to run down the left, the Skehana player’s point left the deficit at just two.