Colaiste Iognaid,The Jes, and the Presentation College Athenry meet this Saturday morning at Tuam Stars GAA complex (11.30am ) in the Senior C Connacht colleges football final in a novel GAA football meeting.
Athenry, familiar with finals having already annexed the Connacht senior A hurling and Connacht soccer A titles in recent weeks, now turn their attention to the C football final where they meet city-based opponents The Jes.
Colaiste Iognaid have undergone a rejuvenation in Gaelic football in recent years. The school's GAA club was reformed by Clarinbridge native Niall Sherry and Darragh Leonard in 2010, and since then they have been making steady progress.
Claregalway man Leonard is the manager of the Jes senior team with Paul Conroy team trainer.
“We felt that with the number of senior GAA clubs feeding into our school that we were well placed to make a challenge for a Connacht title. Six years have gone into this team and the contributions of Niall Sherry and Paul Conroy over that time period needs to be acknowledged," says Leonard.
"It would be great to win on Saturday, having gone so close last year when we were beaten in the final after extra time. However Athenry will be very tough to beat and they have some really talented dual players in their squad.”
Current Galway football captain Gary O’Donnell, alongside former Salthill player Noel Tyrrell, are The Pres management team.
Both O’Donnell, who with his Galway teammate Paul Conroy head to Derry after the game, is also hopeful of a win in two days' time.
“GAA has been going very well in the school this year and a huge effort is being put as regards training teams and going to matches, so we will be heading to Tuam hoping for a win.”
Both teams have players of prominence in local football circles, promising to be an exciting encounter on Saturday at Tuam Stars.
