Champions Athenry show little mercy in schools showdown

Date Published: {J}

Pres. College, Athenry 4-8

Mercy Colleges 1-7

Darren Kelly

in Ballinasloe

SUNDAY’S Connacht Colleges senior hurling final began in thrilling fashion with three goals in the first nine minutes before defending champions Presentation College, Athenry took control to run away 10 point winners.

A good crowd arrived in Duggan Park despite the threatening rain and were treated to quality entertainment as both sides showed the intensity required, while goalmouth action was plentiful from the start.

Within 30 seconds, Mercy Colleges threatened Athenry’s rearguard when Jason Flynn and Stephen Keon combined but resolute defending from the maroon and white averted trouble. But Joe Kelly’s unit were more successful at the other end by the second minute.

Billy Lane’s point attempt took a deflection and fell to Darragh Cooney in the right corner. The Killimordaly attacker didn’t let three opponents distract him from cutting inside before shooting past Luke Uniacke for their opening goal.

Athenry’s supporters were happy but Loughrea/Woodford were celebrating shortly afterwards. Shane Caulfield responded with a long range point to reduce arrears ,but in the seventh minute, Mercy Colleges did raise a green flag when Flynn was on the end of a move coming through on the left to hit to the far corner for a 1-1 to 1-0 lead.

There was little sign of things easing up as Jack Carr restored parity in the eighth minute and 60 seconds later, he was involved in the move that put Presentation back in front. Cooney made the initial delivery with a high ball in Carr’s direction. With defenders swarming, he managed to pick out Micheal Mullins in space on the edge of the square who hit first time to the net and Athenry led 2-1 to 1-1 after only nine minutes.

The pace of the game didn’t diminish before half-time but both sides only managed two more scores each. Frees for Paul Hoban and Caulfield for Mercy were cancelled out by two Keane points for Athenry but against the breeze, Athenry also had a couple of chances that could have put daylight between the teams.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.